Dynamics of disability and pain indicators under the influence of physical therapy for adhesives capsulitis and myofascial pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To compare the effectiveness of end-range mobilization and therapeutic exercises, used in combination with ischemic compression, on disability and pain indicators among patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint and thoracic myofascial pain syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study involved 68 patients. Goniometry of the shoulder joint, assessment of pain in myofascial trigger points, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index questionnaire were used before and after physical therapy. The duration of physical therapy comprised 3 weeks. Physical therapy of the first group of patients consisted of end-range mobilization and ischemic compression. Patients of the second group performed therapeutic exercises and ischemic compression. RESULTS: Results: Both groups demonstrated positive dynamics of shoulder joint mobility, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and pain in trigger points. However, the final results of the studied indicators were better in the first group of patients. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Physical therapy based on the combination of end-range mobilization and ischemic compression had a more positive impact on disability and pain indicators for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint and myofascial pain syndrome as compared to the combination of therapeutic exercises and ischemic compression.

Combined effect of graded Thera-Band and scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder adhesive capsulitis post-mastectomy.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the trial was to assess the combined impact of graded Thera-Band strengthening exercises and scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder pain, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) in post-mastectomy adhesive capsulitis (AC). METHODS: Seventy females with unilateral post-mastectomy AC partook in the trial. Participants were subdivided equally into two groups at random. Both groups obtained the traditional physical therapy program; in addition, the intervention group received graded Thera-Band exercises for shoulder muscles and scapular stabilization exercises 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Range of motion (ROM) and muscle power of shoulder were assessed by digital goniometer and handheld dynamometer, respectively. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) was utilized for assessment of shoulder function and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain measurement while short-form (SF-36) for QoL assessment. All evaluation data was recorded prior to the trial and at the eighth week of interventions for both groups. RESULTS: All participants achieved improvements in shoulder ROM, muscle power, pain, and all aspects of QoL; however, higher statistical improvements were reported in all measurements with respect to strengthening exercises group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The addition of graded Thera-Band strengthening exercises and scapular stabilization exercises in post-mastectomy AC rehabilitation program has significant benefits in shoulder function and patients' QoL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05311839.

A comparison of two surgical methods in the treatment of shoulder adhesive capsulitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic capsular release surgery and manipulation of patients with resistant primary adhesive capsulitis (AC) under anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised forty-four patients who had surgery after being given a diagnosis of primary AC. Patients who had both passive and active glenohumeral and scapulothoracic movements equal to or less than 100° elevation and less than 50% of external rotation compared to the contralateral side were considered to have resistant adhesive capsulitis and were included in the study. Conservative treatments such as intra-articular steroid injections and physical therapy had failed to relieve the pain in these patients for at least six months. The patients who took part in the trial underwent manipulation under anesthesia (group 1) and arthroscopic capsular release (group 2) operations. The chosen surgical procedure was chosen at random and based on the surgeon's preferences. examining the patients' demographic information. After treatment, the patients were examined at three-month, six-month, and one-year intervals. Joint range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Constant-Murley shoulder scores were all recorded. Statistics were used to compare the outcomes of the two surgical techniques in this study both before and after the procedure. RESULTS: The study's participants' gender, side, extra procedure, and age factors did not show a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). According to the age, gender, side, additional process, and homogeneous distribution throughout the groups. No statistically significant difference was discovered between groups 1 and 2 in any of the measurements taken from study participants during the follow-up period: Pre-op visual pain scores (VPS), Post-op 3rd month VPS, Post-op 1st year VPS, Pre-op Constant score, Post-op 6th month Constant score, and Post-op 1st year Constant score (p<0.05). The change in VPS and Constant Score values over time did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference between the groups was discovered in each of the Pre-op period and Post-op 6th month VPS assessments (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two studied therapies, the surgical method was shown to be more beneficial in both groups the shorter the pre-op period was between the onset of the complaints and the operation.

Evaluation of intensive rehabilitation under continuous suprascapular nerve blockade for the treatment of refractory adhesive shoulder capsulitis. Case series.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of refractory adhesive shoulder capsulitis is a challenge. This observational retrospective study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of intensive physiotherapy protocol under a continuous peripheral blockade of the suprascapular nerve (cSSNB). METHOD: We reviewed 29 medical records of patients suffering from adhesive capsulitis and treated with intensive physiotherapy under cSSNB during 10 days. The "disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand" outcome questionnaire (DASH score) and shoulder movements were recorded at the beginning, 10 days after local anesthetic infusion and three months after. RESULTS: Twenty six patients significant improved shoulder movements after 10 days of treatment. Sixteen patients were followed completely until 3 months after rehabilitation program. Range of four shoulder motion compatible with a normal daily life was acquired in nine patients at three months. There is no significant difference in shoulder motion between the end of LA infusion and at three months. At the end of infusion, DASH score is significantly decreased to 59.3 (n = 26), and persists three months 42.1 (n = 16). At three months, 33% of the initial population objectively reach the 4 goals, compatible with a correct quality of life. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation under cSSNB is associated with a significant long term improvement in shoulder motion and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Randomized controlled trials will be necessary to demonstrate our encouraging results.

Rehabilitative treatments in adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Adhesive capsulitis is a disease of unknown etiology. Conservative therapy is based on the use of multimodal techniques (instrumental physical therapy, exercise, physiokinesitherapy and anti-inflammatory drug therapy). Yet, there is no consensus on which conservative therapy treatment is best for the management of the patient with adhesive capsulitis. The aim of this study is to define the state of the art and guide specialists in choosing effective treatments for adhesive capsulitis. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a search on PubMed; Web of Science, Scopus, Chochrane Library and PEDRo selecting 20 RCT studies published between 2010 and 2020 in any language of which the Full-Text was available with a PEDro Score greater than or equal to 6, and which compared any conservative treatment with no treatment or other conservative treatments. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: For this study, 1089 subjects were taken into consideration and 19 out of the 20 studies compared multimodal therapies: 6 directly assessed the effectiveness of physical therapies (3 US; 1 WBC; 1 HILT and 1 rESWT), 3 studies evaluated the efficacy of manual glenohumeral mobilizations, 4 compared manual and mechanical stretching techniques, and 7 evaluated the effectiveness of different supervised group or home therapeutic exercises in multimodal rehabilitation programs. The characteristics of the selected studies were very heterogeneous, and sample were not uniform as regards stage of disease, level of ROM reduction and mean duration of complaints). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound therapy did not prove effective on the pathology, unlike radial shockwaves and cryotherapy. The joint mobilizations, techniques adopting posterior glenohumeral approaches and high-end mobilizations would appear to be effective both manual and instrumental techniques. In general stretching is a mandatory implementation in rehabilitation programs. From the data in the literature, it does not emerge the possibility of identifying treatment guidelines execpt for individual or group exercises, that are possibly oriented to the performance of daily activities.

Functional Status, Pain and Shoulder Mobility in Frozen Shoulder A Prospective Study.

The aim of our study was to assess the clinical course, disease duration, functional status dynamics and prevalence of elevated blood sugar values in patients with frozen shoulder (FS). We also tested two other hypotheses: a) Duration of symptoms before the beginning of therapy affects rehabilitation outcome and duration of symptoms. b) Postponed initiation of therapy affects the duration of sick leave.Our prospective study took place at the University Rehabilitation Institute-Republic of Slovenia (URI-RS) between April 2017 and March 2021. The sample comprised 26 patients with FS. We evaluated patients every 3 months for consecutive 2 years with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and by measuring the shoulder range of motion (ROM).During the first year, there was a statistically significant change in passive ROM, against no improvement in the second year of follow-up. Only one of the patients was a known diabetic, the majority (77 %) of patients had normal blood sugar values, and in the remaining patients, elevated levels were incidental findings. Twelve patients were on sick leave for more than 12 weeks.The study showed that the duration of sick leave did not corelate with time to treatment initiation. It is advisable to perform a fasting blood sugar test in patients with FS.

Effectiveness of acromioclavicular joint mobilization and physical therapy vs physical therapy alone in patients with frozen shoulder: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this trial was to compare the efficacy of acromioclavicular joint mobilization and standard physical-therapy versus physical-therapy alone in the treatment of the frozen shoulder. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient setting. SUBJECTS: Patients with frozen shoulder. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated into mobilization + physical-therapy (n = 28), and physical-therapy alone (n = 28) groups for one month. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the shoulder pain and disability index and the shoulder range of motion. The secondary outcome was the visual analogue scale. Measures were performed at the baseline, immediately and one month after the beginning of the treatment. RESULTS: Visual analogue scale and the shoulder pain and disability index improved more significantly in the mobilization group compared to the physical-therapy group immediately [-4.63 (-5.58--3.67) vs. -2.22 (-2.96--1.47), P < 0.001 and -23.08 (-28.63--17.53) vs. -13.04 (-17.93--8.16), P = 0.008, respectively] and one month after the beginning of the treatment [-5.58 (-6.45--4.72) vs. -3.61 (-4.60--2.62), P < 0.001 and -33.43 (-40.85--26.01) vs. -20.03 (-26.00--14.07), P = 0.001, respectively]. Active abduction range of motion was also improved more significantly immediately after the treatment in the mobilization group compared to the physical-therapy group [25.83 (11.45-40.13) vs. 10.17 (1.02-19.15), P = 0.025], however there were no significant differences between two groups concerning other measured range of motions. CONCLUSIONS: Adding acromioclavicular mobilization to standard physical-therapy was more efficient in decreasing pain and disability and improving active abduction range of motion compared to standard physical-therapy in frozen shoulder patients.

Resistance band training after triamcinolone acetonide injection for subacromial bursitis: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of progressive resistance training using resistance (elastic) bands on subacromial bursitis following triamcinolone acetonide injection. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS: A total of 68 patients with subacromial bursitis were randomized to a triamcinolone acetonide group or a triamcinolone acetonide plus resistance band training group. METHODS: Visual analogue scale, Constant scores, range of motion, proprioception, and muscle strength were evaluated at pretreatment and at 3, 12 and 24 weeks' follow-up. Re-treatment ratio was calculated at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: At 3 and 12 weeks, both the triamcinolone acetonide group and triamcinolone acetonide plus resistance band training group showed a significant improvement in Visual analogue scale score, Constant score, range of motion, proprioception and muscle strength. Although the scores in the triamcinolone acetonide group had not increased at 24 weeks compared with baseline, the scores in the triamcinolone acetonide plus resistance band training group showed continued improvement at 24 weeks. A lower proportion of patients in the triamcinolone acetonide plus resistance band training bands group than in the triamcinolone acetonide group had received re-treatment at one-year follow-up (12.1% vs 82.9%). CONCLUSION: Progressive resistance training with resistance (elastic) bands has the advantages of extending the benefits of corticosteroid injection and maintaining long-term effects on shoulder function in patients with subacromial bursitis.

A significant relationship between personality traits and adhesive capsulitis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the associations between adhesive capsulitis (AC) and a specific psychological profile. METHODS: We assessed 72 patients with phase-II AC. In our study, 36 patients were affected by primary disease and 36 by secondary disease. The inclusion criteria were as follows: unilateral AC and pain in the shoulder for at least two months. The exclusion criteria were: psychiatric and neurological manifestations with a previous diagnosis and inability to comprehend the instruments. Outcomes were determined at 52 weeks. Shoulder pain severity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale. We also measured the range of motion with a universal goniometer and the strength with the Medical Research Council. We assessed the personality traits of our patients with the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. RESULTS: Patients with primary AC needed more time to improve the symptomatology compared to the group with the secondary disease (p<0.01). Patients with primary AC complained of severe and lasting pain more frequently than patients with the secondary disease (p< 0.01). In patients with primary disease, the prevalence of perfectionism, low levels of novelty seeking, and high levels of harm avoidance were 88.2 and 86.2%, and 80.4, respectively, and below 20 percent in patients with secondary AC disease. CONCLUSION: We found a significant correlation between primary AC and particular personality traits, indicating an interaction between psychological and somatic factors.

Wearable Motion Sensor Device to Facilitate Rehabilitation in Patients With Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility.

BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder is a common disorder that painfully reduces the shoulder range of motion (ROM) among middle-aged individuals. Although physical therapy with home-based exercises is widely advised to restore ROM in the treatment of AC, clinical results vary owing to inconsistent patient compliance. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to verify the feasibility of a treatment model that involves applying a wearable motion sensor device to assist patients conduct home-based exercises to improve training compliance and the accuracy of exercises, with the ultimate goal of improving the functional recovery of patients with AC. METHODS: The motion sensor device was comprised of inertial measurement unit-based sensors and mobile apps for patients and physicians, offering shoulder mobility tracing, home-based exercise support, and progress monitoring. The interrater reliability of shoulder mobility measurement using the motion sensor device on 10 healthy participants and 15 patients with AC was obtained using an intraclass correlation coefficient analysis and compared with the assessments performed by two highly experienced physicians. A pilot prospective control trial was then carried out to allocate the 15 patients with AC to two groups: home-based exercise group and motion sensor-assisted rehabilitation group. Changes in active and passive shoulder ROM, pain and functional scores, and exercise completion rates were compared between the groups during a treatment period of 3 months. RESULTS: Shoulder ROM, as measured using the motion sensor device, exhibited good to excellent reliability based on the comparison with the measurements of two physicians (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.771 to 0.979). Compared with patients with AC in the home-based exercise group, those in the motion sensor-assisted rehabilitation group exhibited better shoulder mobility and functional recovery and a higher exercise completion rate during and after 3 months of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Motion sensor device-assisted home-based rehabilitation for the treatment of AC is a useful treatment model for telerehabilitation that enhances the compliance of patients through training, thus improving functional recovery. This helps overcome important obstacles in physiotherapy at home by providing comprehensible and easily accessible exercise instructions, enhancing compliance, ensuring the correctness of exercise, and monitoring the progress of patients.

Physiotherapy for primary frozen shoulder in secondary care: Developing and implementing stand-alone and post operative protocols for UK FROST and inferences for wider practice.

OBJECTIVES: The United Kingdom Frozen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST) compares stand-alone physiotherapy and two operative procedures, both with post operative rehabilitation, for primary frozen shoulder in secondary care. We developed physiotherapy protocols for UK FROST, incorporating best evidence but recognizing uncertainty and allowing flexibility. METHODS: We screened a UK Department of Health systematic review and UK evidence-based guidelines (Hanchard et al., 2012; Maund et al., 2012) for recommendations, and previous surveys of UK physiotherapists (Hanchard et al., 2011, 2013) for strong consensus. We conducted a two-stage, questionnaire-based, modified Delphi survey of shoulder specialist physiotherapists in the UK National Health Service. This required positive, negative or neutral ratings of possible interventions in four clinical contexts (stand-alone physiotherapy for, respectively, predominantly painful and predominantly stiff frozen shoulder; and post operative physiotherapy for, respectively, predominantly painful and predominantly stiff frozen shoulder). We proposed respectively mandating or recommending interventions with 100% and 90% positive consensus, and respectively disallowing or discouraging interventions with 90% and 80% negative consensus. Other interventions would be optional. RESULTS: The systematic review and guideline recommended including steroid injection and manual mobilizations in non-operative care, and we mandated these for stand-alone physiotherapy. Consensus in the pre-existing surveys strongly favoured advice, education and home exercises, which we mandated across contexts. The Delphi survey led to recommendation of some supervised exercise modalities, plus the disallowing or discouragement-in various contexts-of immobilization and some 'higher-tech' electrotherapies and alternative therapies. CONCLUSIONS: We developed physiotherapy protocols despite incomplete empirical evidence. Their clear structure enabled implementation in data-sheets designed to facilitate recording, monitoring of fidelity and reporting of interventions. Other trials involving physiotherapy may benefit from this approach.

A significant relationship between personality traits and adhesive capsulitis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between adhesive capsulitis (AC) and a specific psychological profile. METHODS We assessed 72 patients with phase-II AC. In our study, 36 patients were affected by primary disease and 36 by secondary disease. The inclusion criteria were as follows: unilateral AC and pain in the shoulder for at least two months. The exclusion criteria were: psychiatric and neurological manifestations with a previous diagnosis and inability to comprehend the instruments. Outcomes were determined at 52 weeks. Shoulder pain severity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale. We also measured the range of motion with a universal goniometer and the strength with the Medical Research Council. We assessed the personality traits of our patients with the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. RESULTS Patients with primary AC needed more time to improve the symptomatology compared to the group with the secondary disease (p<0.01). Patients with primary AC complained of severe and lasting pain more frequently than patients with the secondary disease (p< 0.01). In patients with primary disease, the prevalence of perfectionism, low levels of novelty seeking, and high levels of harm avoidance were 88.2 and 86.2%, and 80.4, respectively, and below 20 percent in patients with secondary AC disease. CONCLUSION We found a significant correlation between primary AC and particular personality traits, indicating an interaction between psychological and somatic factors.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar as associações entre a capsulite adesiva (CA) e um perfil psicológico específico. METODOLOGIA Foram avaliados 72 pacientes com CA fase II. Em nosso estudo, 36 pacientes foram afetados pela doença primária e 36 pela secundária. Os critérios de inclusão foram os seguintes: CA unilateral e dor no ombro durante por pelo menos dois meses. Os critérios de exclusão foram: manifestações neurológicas e psiquiátricas com um diagnóstico prévio e incapacidade de compreender os instrumentos de medição utilizados. Os resultados foram determinados após 52 semanas. A intensidade da dor no ombro foi avaliada usando a Escala Visual Analógica. Também medimos a amplitude de movimento com um goniômetro universal e a força com a escala do Conselho de Pesquisa Médica. Avaliamos os traços da personalidade dos nossos pacientes através do Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter de Cloninger e da Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo. RESULTADOS Pacientes com CA primária precisaram de mais tempo para melhorar a sintomatologia quando comparados ao grupo secundário (p<0,01). Pacientes com CA primária apresentaram mais queixas de dor intensa e duradoura do que pacientes secundários (p< 0,01). Em pacientes com a doença primária, a prevalência de perfeccionismo, baixos níveis de procura por novidade, e altos níveis de prevenção de danos foram 88,2, 86,2% e 80,4, respectivamente, e abaixo de 20% em pacientes secundários. CONCLUSÃO Encontramos uma correlação significativa entre CA primária e traços de personalidade específicos, indicando uma interação entre fatores psicológicos e somáticos.

The effect of electroacupuncture merged with rehabilitation for frozen shoulder syndrome: A single-blind randomized sham-acupuncture controlled study.

PURPOSE: Frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) causes pain and reduces the range of motion in the shoulder joint. To investigate the short and medium-term effects of electroacupuncture in people with FSS, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of true and sham electroacupuncture on pain relief and improvement of shoulder function. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial, 21 subjects with FSS were randomly assigned to two groups: a true electroacupuncture group (TEAG) and a sham electroacupuncture group (SEAG). The two groups underwent 18 sessions of treatment over approximately 6-9 weeks and were then followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months. Their effectiveness for alleviating the intensity of shoulder pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS), while improved shoulder mobility was evaluated by the active range of motion (AROM) and passive range of motion (PROM), and shoulder functional ability was evaluated using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). RESULTS: It demonstrated that the TEAG or SEAG showed lasting effects at 1, 3, and 6 months, although with no significant difference between these two groups in the shoulder functional ability outcomes. However, the decline in the VAS occurred earlier in the TEAG than the SEAG. Also, there was much more improvement in AROM for flexion and abduction in the TEAG than the SEAG. An increase in the abduction angle after electroacupuncture and manual rehabilitation was also apparent. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation may provide earlier pain relief for patients with FSS and could be applied clinically.

Evaluating the Outcome of Two Different Regimes in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Prospective Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVE: Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a painful condition affecting up to 5% of the general population. We conducted this study with the aim of evaluating the results of physiotherapy plus intra-articular methylprednisolone injection versus physiotherapy alone in idiopathic frozen shoulder. METHODS: This prospective clinical study was conducted in a tertiary care center between August 2016 and August 2018. Patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic frozen shoulder were included in the study, and each patient was randomly allocated to one of two groups: physiotherapy alone (group A) and physiotherapy plus intra-articular steroid injection (group B). RESULTS: A total of 52 cases diagnosed with idiopathic frozen shoulder were included and treated with the two modalities. There was a significant improvement in group B compared to group A at 6 weeks and 3 months in the range of flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index showed improvement in both pain and disability score in group B -compared to group A, and improvement was significant at 6 weeks and 3 months. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the advantages of physiotherapy plus intra-articular steroid injection in idiopathic frozen shoulder. The predictability of results with physiotherapy plus intra-articular steroid injection in selected patients is excellent, and it is a better modality of treatment compared to physiotherapy alone.

Hydraulic Distension with Pumping Technique for Treating Frozen Shoulder: A Case-Controlled, Retrospective, Comparative Study with 6-Month Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: We have applied a new method called "the pumping technique" to the capsule-preserving hydraulic distension for frozen shoulder. With this technique, the stretching effect can be directly applied to the joint capsule of the affected shoulder. OBJECTIVES: We attempted to evaluate the effect of capsule-preserving hydraulic distension using the pumping technique by comparing capsule-preserving hydraulic distension without it. STUDY DESIGN: A case-controlled, retrospective, comparative study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of department of rehabilitation medicine in a single university hospital. METHODS: Patients (n = 47) with frozen shoulder who were treated with hydraulic distension were assigned into the pumping group (n = 24) and the nonpumping group (n = 23). Range of motion (ROM), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were assessed. RESULTS: Significant improvement of VAS, ROM, and SPADI scores was observed after the second injection in each group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in total passive ROM, abduction, and flexion after the fifth injection between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the disability domain of SPADI after the second injection between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant interaction between time and group with respect to VAS scores. There were no serious complications after procedures. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study. There might be some limitations in gathering comprehensive records of outcome measurements. In addition, because the objective of this study was to determine the effect of the new pumping technique, included patients range was very narrow. This study only included patients who were treated 5 times with capsule-preserving hydraulic distensions with or without the pumping technique. CONCLUSIONS: Although the effect on pain was excellent in both groups, the superiority of the new pumping technique was demonstrated by reduction of SPADI disability subscale score and improvement of ROM of the shoulder compared with the nonpumping technique. KEY WORDS: Shoulder pain, injections, stretch, exercise, ultrasonography, joint capsule, steroids, range of motion.

Which method for frozen shoulder mobilization: manual posterior capsule stretching or scapular mobilization?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the superiority of scapular mobilization, manual capsule stretching, and the combination of these two techniques in the treatment of frozen shoulder patients to evaluate the acute effects of these techniques on shoulder movements. METHODS: This study designed to a single-blinded, randomized, and pre-post assessment study. This study was included 54 patients diagnosed with stage 3 frozen shoulder. Group 1 (n=27) received scapular mobilization, and Group 2 (n=27) received manual posterior capsule stretching. After the patients were assessed, the interventions were re-applied with a crossover design to obtain results for the combined application (n=54). The range of motion, active total elevation, active internal rotation, and posterior capsule tensions of the shoulder joint were recorded before and immediately after mobilization. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed an increase in all range of motion values (p<0.05), except for shoulder internal rotation (p>0.05), without significant difference among the groups (p>0.05). The posterior capsule flexibility did not change in any group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scapular mobilization and manual posterior capsule interventions were effective in improving the acute joint range of motion in frozen shoulder patients.

Physical therapy for the treatment of frozen shoulder: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have reported that physical therapy (PT) can be used for the treatment of frozen shoulder (FS). However, its effectiveness is still inconclusive. In this systematic review study, we will aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PT alone for the treatment of FS. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from the inception to the present to identify any eligible studies focusing on PT for the treatment of FS. These databases comprise of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and 4 Chinese databases of Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (which includes the database China Academic Journals), VIP Information, and Wanfang Data. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PT for FS will be considered for inclusion without language restrictions. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the methodological quality for all included RCTs. RESULTS: The effectiveness and safety of this study will be assessed by shoulder pain intensity, shoulder function, quality of life, and any adverse events. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide most recent evidence on the effectiveness and safety of PT for patients with FS.

Effectiveness of Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement Techniques on Range of Motion in Peripheral Joint Pathologies: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis Between 2008 and 2018.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness of mobilization with movement (MWM) techniques on range of motion (ROM). METHODS: An electronic search strategy of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, and CINAHL was performed between August 2008 and January 2018. Two independent reviewers selected the studies. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The methodology was independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The Z indicator was considered for the assessment of statistical significance of ROM change, whereas for each meta-analysis referring to a specific joint pathology, the total mean difference (95% confidence interval) was compared against minimum detectable change values from relevant studies conducted in similar populations to assess clinical significance. RESULTS: Included were 18 studies with 753 participants in 10 separate meta-analyses for ROM. All studies were classified as high quality or medium quality. Peripheral joint MWM seems to produce better therapeutic results in comparison to sham, passive, other active, or no therapeutic approach, regarding improvement of joint ROM in specific peripheral joint pathologies, consistently in all movement directions for shoulder adhesive capsulitis (mean improvement 12.30o-26.09o, P < .02) and hip pain (mean improvement 4.50o-14.80o, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Mobilization with movement produced a statistically and clinically significant ROM increase consistently in all movement directions for shoulder adhesive capsulitis and hip pain. However, for shoulder impingement, shoulder pain/dysfunction, hamstring tightness, knee osteoarthritis, and chronic ankle instability pathologies, a therapeutic benefit regarding ROM could not be clearly established. Owing to the small number of individual studies included within the separate groups of pathologies examined in our systematic review, methodologically rigorous studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted to better inform the evidence base on the effects of MWM on ROM.

An international survey of current physiotherapy practice in diagnosis and knowledge translation of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).

PURPOSE: To evaluate how physiotherapists across three countries (Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and Ireland) diagnose greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) using clinical tests and imaging findings, and how physiotherapists update their knowledge regarding GTPS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study of physiotherapists. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to registered physiotherapists in Australia, NZ and Ireland. Ordinal and nominal data were analysed using frequency counts or mean ranks; medians and interquartile ranges were calculated for numerical data. Comparisons between the three countries were made using Chi-squared analyses for nominal/ordinal data and Kruskal Wallis tests for numerical data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Valid responses were received from 361 physiotherapists; 61% were female and 79.8% worked in private practice. Most respondents were very confident in diagnosing GTPS (67.9%) and incorporated a range of symptoms and tests, including validated tests, in their diagnosis. However, many physiotherapists were not commonly using some available validated diagnostic tests (e.g. FABER and FADER-R). Approximately 30% of physiotherapists used imaging to inform assessment, with ultrasound being most preferred. Physiotherapists rated hands-on experience as most valuable for updating their knowledge of GTPS, followed by courses. CONCLUSION: While most clinicians appear to be using current evidence in their assessment of patients with GTPS, a proportion use suboptimal methods and/or a limited range of diagnostic tests, suggesting that despite their confidence in diagnosis, further knowledge translation may be required. Future research should determine the best methods of facilitating knowledge acquisition and translation of research into practice.

Wearable Sensors Integrated with Virtual Reality: A Self-Guided Healthcare System Measuring Shoulder Joint Mobility for Frozen Shoulder.

Frozen shoulder is a common clinical shoulder condition. Measuring the degree of shoulder joint movement is crucial to the rehabilitation process. Such measurements can be used to evaluate the severity of patients' condition, establish rehabilitation goals and appropriate activity difficulty levels, and understand the effects of rehabilitation. Currently, measurements of the shoulder joint movement degree are typically conducted by therapists using a protractor. However, along with the growth of telerehabilitation, measuring the shoulder joint mobility on patients' own at home will be needed. In this study, wireless inertial sensors were combined with the virtual reality interactive technology to provide an innovative shoulder joint mobility self-measurement system that can enable patients to measure their performance of four shoulder joint movements on their own at home. Pilot clinical trials were conducted with 25 patients to confirm the feasibility of the system. In addition, the results of correlation and differential analyses compared with the results of traditional measurement methods exhibited a high correlation, verifying the accuracy of the proposed system. Moreover, according to interviews with patients, they are confident in their ability to measure shoulder joint mobility themselves.