This study was carried out to explore the short-term effect of anti-inflammatory drug administration by iontophoresis compared with a placebo treatment. This was done in a double -blind randomised pilot study of 22 patients with "primary" tendonitis. The dosage parameters for ionotophroesis were a current density of the active electrode of 0.2 to 0.4mA/cm2 for 20 minutes, three times a week, twelve treatments in all. Tendon (-sheath) inflammation is notorious because of the severe pain and disability which can persist in spite of a careful conservative management. The main clinical symptoms are limitation of function and pain. Outcome variables that were analysed were an ordinal 5 point "activities of daily living" scale, a "visual analogue pain rating "scale, a clinical assessment of local tenderness by pressure and a stretch and resistance test preformed by the therapist. Dexamethasonesodiumphosphate (DSP) iontophroresis (n = 14) was superior to placebo-iontophroresis (n = 8) in all outcome variables (p < 0.05). Two patients who were treated with DSP developed a slight (purpura) discolouration. Besides some skin irritation, which disappeared in a few days, there were no undesirable side effects. After four months the condition of two-thirds of the patients (69%) was significantly better than at initial assessment. Based on the results of this pilot study it is concluded that transcutaneous drug administration by iontophroresis of DSP seems to be a painless, safe and effective treatment that justifies further research.

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