Efficacy of scapular mobilization in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A randomized clinical trial

Manas Kumar; Ujjwal K Debnath; Manu Goyal; Debabrata Kumar; Subhasish Chatterjee

Volume : V, Issue : XI, November - 2016

Efficacy of scapular mobilization in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A randomized clinical trial

Manas Kumar, Ujjwal K Debnath, Manu Goyal, Debabrata Kumar, Subhasish Chatterjee

Abstract :

Introduction: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a condition of uncertain etiology characterized by pain and stiffness, a progressive loss of both active and passive shoulder motion which leads to progressive shoulder dysfunction and deformity. Present manual therapy treatments for AC are mainly focused on glenohumeral (GH) joint mobilization given end–range or mid–range. Very few studies have been addressed the restriction of scapular mechanics. OBJECTIVE: ?e purpose of the study to find out the effects of Scapular mobilization (SM) given in addition to standard care (SC) in patients with AC. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial METHODS: Sixty (60) subjects with unilateral chronic AC were selected and were randomly and equally allocated in two groups (Group A and Group B) for this study. 30 subjects of group A were given SM (elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, downward rotation and upward rotation) in addition to SC and another 30 subjects of group B received only SC. ?e pre and post treatment outcome measures were taken which included ROM measured using Goniometer, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). ?e treatments were given for five consecutive days a week for total of four weeks. ?e SC included short wave diathermy (SWD), capsular stretching, shoulder wheel/pulley exercises. ANALYSIS: Pre–and post–treatment scores were analyzed using paired and unpaired t–test at 95% confidence interval in SPSS version 22.0 for Windows. RESULT: Scapular mobilization group showed significant changes in active flexion (31.66�4.01 degrees), active abduction (31.33�4.18 degrees), active external rotation (16�1.875 degrees) without active internal rotation (3.93�0.28 degrees) and SPADI (22.45�2.519) compare with SC group which were active flexion (20.26�2.26 degrees), active abduction (20.13�1.44 degrees), active external rotation (10.2�1.06 degrees), active internal rotation (3.13�0.23 degrees) and SPADI (13.43�1.533). CONCLUSION: SM produced significant reductions in pain with improvements in range of motion and shoulder function in AC patients. IMPLICATIONS: ?e SM method offers an effective intervention for addressing AC, which is quick and easy to apply and allows for functional use. ?us SM could be further compared with other treatments in future studies