The impact of suprascapular nerve block on physiotherapy outcomes in chronic shoulder pain: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the addition of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to physiotherapy in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain.

Methods: 110 patients were included in the randomised, controlled, single-blind study. While patients in group 1 were subject to only physiotherapy, patients from group 2 were subject to SSNB additionally. All patients received 15 sessions of standard physiotherapy for 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) three times before treatment (T1), at the end of treatment (T2) and at 3 months after the end of treatment (T3).

Results:  Pain-VAS and SPADI scores: Significant differences were found between T1, T2, and T3 in both within-group and intergroup comparisons. NHP scores: Significant differences were found between T1, T2, and T3 for all parameters except fatigue at T2 (Group 1). Inter-group comparison showed significant differences across most parameters. Pain-VAS, SPADI, and NHP difference scores: statistically significant difference was found in all evaluation parameters of T2 and T3 compared to T1.

Conclusion: We found that SSBN may increase physiotherapy’s effectiveness in improving pain, functional status, and quality of life of patients