SUPPORT

Chief Investigator:
Principal Investigator:
Trials Manager:	Dr Irena Zwierska
Study Co-ordinator:	Dr Irena Zwierska
Funder name / reference number:	National Institute for Health Research: Research for Patient Benefit Programme (Grant reference PB-PG-1207-15064)
UKCRN Study portfolio:	ISRCTN42399123
Year	2010-2013

Study design

The SUPPORT Trial randomised controlled trial.

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.

Primary objective

To investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of exercise and injection for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).

Interventions

Patients randomised to one of four treatment groups, namely:-

1) Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection, with physiotherapist-led individualised, supervised and progressed exercise;

2) Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection, with an advice and exercise leaflet;

3) Unguided (blind) corticosteroid injection, with physiotherapist-led individualised, supervised and progressed exercise; or

4) Unguided (blind) corticosteroid injection, with an advice and exercise leaflet.