HILT vs ESWT in Supraspinatus Tendinitis

Comparative Effectiveness of High-Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Supraspinatus Tendinitis

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in patients with supraspinatus tendinitis.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Supraspinatus Tendinitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: High-Intensity Laser Therapy; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy; Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 48
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: SAMI ABDU AKKUR, MASTER; Phone Number: +966500433558; Email: pt.sami558@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female participants aged between 18 and 60 years.
• Clinically diagnosed supraspinatus tendinitis confirmed by ultrasound imaging.
• Shoulder pain duration greater than 3 months.
• Ability to understand and follow study instructions.
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Full-thickness rotator cuff tear.
• Previous shoulder surgery.
• Pregnancy.
• Neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
• Corticosteroid injection within the previous 3 months.
• Shoulder fracture or dislocation.
• Systemic inflammatory diseases.
• Participation in other physical therapy programs during the study period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group A: HILT + Conventional PT	Device: High-Intensity Laser Therapy; High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) is an advanced electrotherapy modality that uses high-power laser energy to penetrate deep musculoskeletal tissues and stimulate biological healing processes. The device emits laser wavelengths ranging between 808-1064 nm with high peak power output, allowing deeper tissue penetration compared to conventional low-level laser therapy. HILT provides analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and biostimulatory effects through increasing local blood circulation, enhancing cellular metabolism, stimulating collagen synthesis, and promoting tissue regeneration. The treatment is non-invasive, safe, and commonly used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, particularly for tendinopathies and chronic pain conditions.; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy; The conventional physical therapy program consisted of a combination of therapeutic exercises and physical therapy modalities aimed at reducing pain, improving shoulder range of motion, enhancing muscle strength, and restoring functional performance. The program included hot pack application, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), stretching exercises, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, as well as a home exercise program. Treatment sessions were conducted three times per week according to the patient's tolerance and clinical condition
Active Comparator: Group B: ESWT + Conventional PT	Other: Conventional Physical Therapy; The conventional physical therapy program consisted of a combination of therapeutic exercises and physical therapy modalities aimed at reducing pain, improving shoulder range of motion, enhancing muscle strength, and restoring functional performance. The program included hot pack application, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), stretching exercises, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, as well as a home exercise program. Treatment sessions were conducted three times per week according to the patient's tolerance and clinical condition; Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy; Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive therapeutic modality that delivers high-energy acoustic waves to injured musculoskeletal tissues. The device generates focused or radial shock waves that stimulate tissue healing, neovascularization, pain reduction, and cellular repair mechanisms. ESWT is widely used in the management of tendinopathies, calcific disorders, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Treatment parameters typically include energy flux density, frequency, number of impulses, and treatment sessions. The therapy is considered safe and effective, with minimal side effects
Active Comparator: Group C: Conventional Physical Therapy Only	Other: Conventional Physical Therapy; The conventional physical therapy program consisted of a combination of therapeutic exercises and physical therapy modalities aimed at reducing pain, improving shoulder range of motion, enhancing muscle strength, and restoring functional performance. The program included hot pack application, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), stretching exercises, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, as well as a home exercise program. Treatment sessions were conducted three times per week according to the patient's tolerance and clinical condition

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain.	At baseline and immediately after 4 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Shoulder Pain and Disability Measured by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)	Shoulder pain and disability will be assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The SPADI score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain and disability.	At baseline and immediately after 4 weeks of intervention
Upper Extremity Function Measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH)	Upper extremity function will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. DASH scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability.	Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after 4 weeks of intervention.
Shoulder Range of Motion Measured Using a Digital Goniometer	Shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, and external rotation) will be measured in degrees using a digital goniometer. Higher values indicate greater shoulder mobility.	Baseline and immediately after 4 weeks of intervention.
Quality of Life Measured by the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)	Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.	Baseline and immediately after 4 weeks of intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kafrelsheikh University
• Investigators: Study Director: Yasmin Mohamed Mahmoud, Kafrelsheikh University Faculty of Physical Therapy Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy; Study Chair: Mahmoud Mohamed Ewida, PHD, Kafrelsheikh University Faculty of Physical Therapy Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy; Study Director: Shaimaa Ramadan Eldeab, PHD, Kafrelsheikh University Faculty of Physical Therapy Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy; Principal Investigator: Sami ABDU Akkur, MASTER DEGREE STUDENT, Kafrelsheikh University Faculty of Physical Therapy Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 29, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: KFSIRB200-1036

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No