Identified studies.
| Study | Score | Setting and numbers | Comparison groups (n) | Steroid [mg] volume used (ml) | Treatment period, weeks | Maximum number of injections | Assessment period, weeks | Changed outcome measures | Reviewers' conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van de Windt35 | 70.5 | Dutch GP (109) | IA (53) vs physio (56) | TA [40] (1) | 6 | 3 | 52 | Symptom, pain, disability 13 weeks only | Significantly more effective at 7 and |
| De Jong33 | 59.5 | Dutch OP (57) | High dose IA (25) vs low dose IA (32) | TA [40][10] (1) | 3 | 3 | 6 | Pain, sleep, function, ROM | High dose significantly more effective than low dose |
| Jacobs30 | 55 | UK OP (50) | IA (16) vs distension with steroid (16) or air (18) | TA [40] (1/9/10) | 12 | 3 | 16 | ROM, function, pain, analgesic use | Significant improvement in pain and ROM only |
| Gam34 | 54.5 | Denmark OP (20) | IA 8 vs distension with steroid (12) | TH [20] (1/20) | 6 | 6 | 12 | Symptoms, pain, ROM, analgesic use | Significant improvement with distension in all criteria |
| Winters32 | 49.5 | Dutch GP (124) | IA SA AC (47) vs physio (35) vs manipulation (42) | TA [40] (10) | 3 | 3 | 11 | Pain, ROM | Significant improvement |
| Richardson27 | 46.5 | UK OP (101) | IA (54) vs placebo (47) | P [50] (2) | 2 | 2 | 6 | Pain, ROM | No significant improvement |
| Bulgen29 | 42 | UK OP (42) | IA and SA (11) vs mobilization (11) vs ice therapy (12) vs no treatment (8) | MP [20] (1) | 3 | 3 | 26 | Pain, ROM | No significant improvement |
| Rizk31 | 34 | US OP (48) | IA (16) or SA (16 )vs LA IA (8) or SA (8) | MP [40] (3) | 3 | 3 | 26 | Pain, ROM | No significant improvement |
| Williams28 | 15 | UK OP No data | IA vs stellate ganglion block | H [50] No data | 3 | 3 | 12 | Pain, ROM, analgesic use | Equally effective |
AC = acromoclavicular, GP = general practice, H = hydrocortisone acetate, IA = intra-articular injection, LA = local anaesthetic (lidocaine), MP = methyl prednisone acetate, OP = outpatients, physio = physiotherapy, P = prednisolone acetate, ROM = range of movement, SA = subacromial injection, TA = triamcinalone acetonide, TH = triamcinalone hexacetonide, vs = versus.