NSAID ionisation in the management of soft-tissue rheumatism: role played by the drug, electrical stimulation and suggestion.

Abstract

Four treatments for soft-tissue rheumatism--sham ionisation, placebo ionisation, and pharmacological ionisation with pirprofen (two-dose levels)--were assessed in a randomized double-blind, between-patient controlled trial in 73 outpatients affected by scapulo-humeral periarthritis or elbow epicondylitis. Treatment lasted two weeks (5 sessions a week). Progress was measured by patient's assessment on pain at rest and on movement and by physician's assessment on functional impairment. At two weeks each treatment was associated with a significant degree of improvement; however, pharmacological ionisation produced a significantly higher improvement in symptoms. No differences were detected between sham ionisation and placebo ionisation. These results suggest that the ionisation procedure displays per se a moderate therapeutic effect which seems to be due more to a simple placebo effect than to the biological effect of electricity.

• Authors: E Grossi, G C Monza, S Pollavini, L Bona
• Journal: Clinical and experimental rheumatology (Clin Exp Rheumatol) 1986 Jul-Sep Vol. 4 Issue 3 Pg. 265-7 ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 3533340 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Ions
• Phenylpropionates
• pirprofen

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Electricity
• Female
• Humans
• Ions
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Periarthritis (drug therapy)
• Phenylpropionates (administration & dosage)
• Random Allocation
• Tennis Elbow (drug therapy)