Efficacy and safety of infrared rays and Qingpeng paste in treating periarthritis of shoulder

Aim: Medication such as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug, immunosuppressant and hormone is the common therapy for periarthritis of shoulder. However, the side effects of oral-taken medicine limit the application and curative effect to certain extent. This study observed the effect and adverse reaction of infrared rays and Qingpeng paste therapy on periarthritis of shoulder. Methods: 1Seventy cases of periarthritis of shoulder admitted in Changhai Hospital and Shanghai East Hospital were selected from October 2006 to January 2007. The diagnosis was accorded with Clinical Diagnosis Norm of Cure and Improve of Disease, Ministry of Health of General Logistics Department. The informed consent was obtained from all patients, and the treatment was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. The subjects were randomly divided into treatment group (n =30) and control group (n =40). 2Infrared rays were given to the control group. Qingpeng paste therapy was used for the treatment group under the basis of infrared rays. 3Visual analogue scale and Range of motion were used to observe the curative effect. Side effect was observed at the same time. Results: Seventy patients with periarthritis of shoulder were all involved in the result analysis. 1After one week treatment, the pain of both groups was improved with no significant diffeience (P > 0.05). After treatment for two weeks, the improvement in treatment group was superior to control group (P < 0.05). 2The range of motion of shoulder joint improved in both groups, and the differences were not statistically significant after one and two weeks treatment (P > 0.05). 3There was not any side effect such as itch of skin or ulceration in the treatment group. Conclusion: Qingpeng paste combined with infrared rays can relive the pain caused by periarthritis of shoulder. However, it is not remarkably effective in improving the range of motion of shoulder joint.