OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of short wave diathermy (SWD) in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. DESIGN: In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 57 patients (aged 35 to 65 yrs) were classified into night pain positive (NP+) (n = 28) and night pain negative (NP-) (n = 29) groups. Both groups were randomly assigned to SWD (NP+, n = 14; NP-, n = 14) and sham (NP+, n = 15; NP-, n = 14) subgroups. Visual analog scale, Constant-Murley Scale (CS), and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) scores were used for evaluation. RESULTS: There was only a significant difference in pain with activity at 1-mo (mean difference (MD) -1.65; 95% confidence interval -3.01 to -0.28)) and 2-mo evaluations (MD -2.1; 95% confidence interval -3.51 to -0.69) between SWD versus sham groups. In the NP+ SWD group, the CS pain score was significantly higher than in the NP+ sham group at all evaluations after treatment. At 1 mo, the NP- SWD group showed significantly better pain, strength, total CS, and SDQ scores than the NP- sham group. At 2 mos, the pain, range of motion, strength, and total CS and SDQ scores were better in the NP- SWD group than in the NP- sham group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Short wave diathermy is more effective in subacromial impingement syndrome without NP.

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