Studies included in the meta-analysis
| Study, year | Funding | Country | Patient characteristics | Treatment arm, no. of patients and description of treatment* | Co-intervention | Major outcome measures | Crossover, % | Loss to follow-up, no. (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age, yr | Male sex, % | Conservative | Surgical | |||||||
| Brox et al., 199326 | Non-industry | Norway | 48 | 53 | 50: Supervised exercises 30: Placebo laser | 45: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (twice wkly increasing resistance exercises for 3–6 mo) | Neer score at 3, 6 mo; VAS | 4 | 5 (4) |
| Peters et al., 199723 | Not stated | Germany | 58 | 64 | 40: Physiotherapy plus cortisone injection | 32: Arthroscopic or open decompression | Postop physio | SSRS at 1, 2, 3, 4 yr | NR | NR |
| Rahme et al., 199827 | Not stated | Sweden | 42 | 45 | 21: Physiotherapy | 21: Open decompression | Postop physio | VAS at 6, 12 mo | 62 | 3 (7) |
| Brox et al., 199928 | Non-industry | Norway | 48 | 53 | 50: Supervised exercises 30: Placebo laser | 45: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (twice wkly increasing resistance exercises for 3–6 mo) | Neer score at 6 mo, 2.5 yr; VAS | 33 | 15 (12) |
| Haahr et al., 200529 | Non-industry | Denmark | 44 | 31 | 45: Physiotherapy | 45: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (periscapular muscle and rotator cuff strengthening) | Constant score at 3, 6, 12 mo; PRIM score | 13 | 6 (6.7) |
| Haahr et al., 200630 | Non-industry | Denmark | 44 | 31 | 45: Physiotherapy | 45: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (periscapular muscle and rotator cuff strengthening) | PRIM score at 4–8 yr | 24 | 11 (12) |
| Ketola et al., 200931 | Not stated | Finland | 47 | 37 | 70: Exercise | 70: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (supervised therapy with increasing resistance for rotator cuff strengthening) | SDQ score at 2, 5 yr; VAS score | 19.3 | 6 (4.2) |
| Ketola et al., 201332 | Not stated | Finland | 47 | 37 | 70: Exercise | 70: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (supervised therapy with increasing resistance for rotator cuff strengthening) | SDQ score at 2, 5 yr; VAS score | 21 | 31 (22.1) |
| Farfaras et al., 201620 | Not stated | Sweden | 50 | 49 | 34: Physiotherapy | 29: Arthroscopic decompression 24: Open decompression | Postop physio (gradual strengthening exercises) | Constant score at 2–3 yr; SF-36; Watson and Sonnebend score; ROM | 16 | 9 (10.3) |
| Ketola et al., 201733 | Not stated | Finland | 47 | 37 | 70: Exercise | 70: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (supervised therapy with increasing resistance for rotator cuff strengthening) | SDQ score at 10 yr; VAS | 21 | 50 (35.7) |
| Beard et al., 201824 | Non-industry | United Kingdom | 53 | 50 | 104: No treatment 103: Sham surgery (diagnostic arthroscopy) | 106: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (1–4 sessions) | Oxford shoulder score at 6,12 mo; Constant–Murley score; PainDETECT score; EQ5D; VAS; HADS | 25 | 48 (15) |
| Farfaras et al., 201834 | Not stated | Sweden | 50 | 49 | 34: Physiotherapy | 29: Arthroscopic decompression 24: Open decompression | Postop physio (gradual strengthening exercises) | Constant score at 10 yr; SF-36; Watson and Sonnebend score; ROM | 9 | 13 (14.9) |
| Paavola et al., 201825 | Non-industry | Finland | 50 | 30 | 71: Supervised exercise 63: Sham surgery (diagnostic arthroscopy) | 59: Arthroscopic decompression | Postop physio (gradual strengthening exercises) | VAS; Constant score; simple shoulder test; 15D | 12 | 7 (3.6) |
Note: EQ5D = EuroQol 5 dimensions score, HADS = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score, postop physio = postoperative physiotherapy, SSRS = Subjective Shoulder Rating Scale, PRIM = Project on Research and Intervention in Monotonous Work score, ROM = range of motion, SDQ = Shoulder Disability Questionnaire score, SF-36 = Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form, VAS = visual analogue scale; 15D = 15-dimensional score.
↵* The number of patients randomly assigned to each treatment arm.