Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies with either TE or MT administered or supervised by a physiotherapist were eligible if TE or MT was reported as the main intervention. Methods associated with physiotherapy (e.g. thermotherapy, cryotherapy, electrotherapy, massage and transverse friction) were also eligible if TE or MT was considered of primary interest. The studies used a wide variety of comparator treatments; further details were presented.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with SIS, rotator cuff tendonitis, tendinosis, or bursitis were eligible. Patients with shoulder pain were eligible if the study included a significant number of patients with SIS. Where stated, the patients in the included studies were aged from 18 to 66 years. Symptom duration ranged from 1 month to over 12 months.
Outcomes assessed in the review
There were no specific inclusion criteria relating to the outcomes. The review focused mainly on pain, range of motion, strength and functional outcomes. In the included studies, the duration of follow-up ranged from 3 weeks to 30 months.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.