The Effectiveness of Conservative Interventions on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life in Adults with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Shoulder Symptoms: A Systematic Review.

The review found only 4 studies and 186 participants, and the studies used different designs, treatments, outcome measures, and follow-up times, so a meta-analysis was not possible. Half of the studies were not randomized controlled trials, and the compression jacket study used participants as their own controls and lacked baseline data for some outcomes. In the 100-participant strengthening trial, 16 high-load and 17 standard-care participants were omitted from the per-protocol analysis because of poor adherence, so that result may not apply to all patients. The tape and compression jacket studies had very short follow-up, so they cannot show lasting benefit. The review included only English-language studies and adults, so it does not address children or non-English settings. Many between-group comparisons were not significant, and the included studies had different follow-up times, so long-term effects are unclear.

The supplied text does not report funding or conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that high-load strengthening, kinesiology tape, or compression jackets are proven better treatments for shoulder symptoms in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The review had only 4 small heterogeneous studies, several groups received active treatment, and many between-group differences were not significant.