SUPPORT

Support

Chief Investigator: 

Professor Nadine Foster

Co-applicants:

Principal Investigator:

Dr Edward Roddy

Study Co-ordinator:

Dr Irena Zwierska

Funder name / reference n^o:

NIHR Research for Patient Benefit / PB-PG-1207-15064

MREC number:

10/H1202/72

ISRCTN:

ISRCTN42399123

UKCRN Study portfolio:

9731

Reporting stage

Summary of trial:

Study design:

The SUPPORT Trial is a multi-centre 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial, which investigates ways in which to optimise outcomes of patients presenting with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) from corticosteroid injection (blind versus ultrasound-guided) and from exercise (standard versus physiotherapist-led). Participants were recruited through musculoskeletal interface clinics from within Stoke-on-Trent and South Staffordshire. The trial also provided long-term follow-up data on clinical and cost-effectiveness.

Subacromial impingement syndrome and pain: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of exercise and corticosteroid injection (the SUPPORT trial). Roddy E, Zwierska I, Hay EM, Jowett S, Lewis M, Stevenson K, van der Windt D, Foster NE; SUPPORT trial team. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 Mar 14;15:81. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-81.

Primary objective:

The primary outcome measure was the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), one of the most common outcome measures used in shoulder studies.

Interventions:

256 participants were individually randomised to one of 4 treatment groups:-  

Group 1 – Ultrasound-guided injection, with physiotherapist-led individualised, supervised and progressed exercise

Group 2 – Ultrasound-guided injection, with an advice and exercise leaflet

Group 3 – Unguided (blind) injection, with physiotherapist-led individualised, supervised and progressed exercise

Group 4 – Unguided (blind) injection, with an advice and exercise leaflet