Abstracts

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of naturopathic care (NC) on rotator cuff tendinitis using a prospective randomized clinical trial design. METHODS: Canadian postal workers with rotator cuff tendinitis for a duration of >6 weeks were randomized to receive NC (n=43) or standardized physical exercises (PEs; n=42) over 12 weeks. Participants in the NC group received dietary counseling, acupuncture, and Pholgenzym (2 tablets, 3 times/day). The PE intervention group received passive, active-assisted, and active range of motion exercises and matched placebo. The primary outcome measure was the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and secondary outcomes were the pain visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form 36 (SF-36), Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP), and shoulder maximal range of motion. RESULTS: Seventy-seven participants (87%) completed > 8 weeks of the trial. Final total SPADI scores decreased by 54.5% (P