Prognostic similarity of groups at baseline
| Active ET (n=73) | Dummy ET (n=72) | No ET/no US (n=35) | Active US (n=73) | Dummy US (n=72) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (mean (sd)) | 51 (14) | 50 (13) | 54 (13) | 50 (13) | 51 (14) |
| Female (%) | 46 | 56 | 51 | 52 | 50 |
| Previous episodes (%) | |||||
| 0 | 56 | 50 | 60 | 49 | 57 |
| 1–5 | 33 | 40 | 26 | 36 | 37 |
| >5 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 7 |
| Coexistent disorders | |||||
| cervical | 88 | 78 | 77 | 88 | 78 |
| homolateral elbow | 25 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 32 |
| Impaired shoulder | |||||
| dominant | 51 | 47 | 54 | 45 | 53 |
| left | 44 | 42 | 34 | 49 | 35 |
| Duration (%) (months) | |||||
| 0 to 3 | 41 | 37 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
| 3 to 6 | 21 | 33 | 26 | 22 | 22 |
| 6 to 12 | 22 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 19 |
| >12 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 10 |
| Pain radiating below elbow (%) | 75 | 76 | 60 | 67 | 85 |
| Caused by trauma (%) | 8 | 12 | 17 | 8 | 13 |
| Gradual onset (%) | 68 | 71 | 63 | 66 | 74 |
| Symptoms before inclusion (%) | |||||
| increased | 67 | 73 | 71 | 68 | 72 |
| stable | 8 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 11 |
| decreased | 25 | 17 | 15 | 25 | 17 |
| Prognostic grading1-150 † | 51 (27–68) | 48 (30–70) | 39 (25–72) | 50 (25–70) | 50 (24–68) |
US=Ultrasoundtherapy; ET=electrotherapy. Because of the factorial trial design the ET groups and the US groups represent the same patients.
↵1-150 Prognostic grading by research physiotherapist on a 100 millimetre visual analogue scale (0/100: best/worst), based on a standardised clinical assessment. This assessment involved a standardised history; inspection of contour, muscle wasting and swelling; active and passive evaluation of range of motion and pain on abduction, flexion, internal and external rotation, extension and adduction; evaluation of the functional mobility and active glenohumeral-scapulo-thoracic rhythm; evaluation of joint play and pain on accessory movements; evaluation of muscle weakness and pain on isometric muscle testing; and palpatory assessment of pain and tissue condition. SD=standard deviation, n=number of patients, †median (interquartile range).