Percutaneous Electrolysis and Microelectrolysis for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background/Objectives: Rotator cuff tendinopathy frequently contributes to shoulder pain and functional limitation. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of percutaneous electrolysis (EL) and microelectrolysis (MEL) on pain, shoulder-related disability, range of motion (ROM), and pressure pain threshold (PPT), and summarized treatment-related adverse events.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), from database inception to 14 September 2026. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence were evaluated using the PEDro scale, Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and GRADE framework, respectively. Random-effects models were used to pool standardized mean differences (SMDs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).