The efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis is a debilitating condition which causes the capsule of the gleno-humeral joint to thicken and contract progressively. The effectiveness of various non-operative methods has been demonstrated to improve the pain, range of motion (ROM) and functional status of patients with adhesive capsulitis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review recent evidence on the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. METHODS: PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Science Direct and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published since 2013. The search terms included: Frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, physical therapy, rehabilitation, manual therapy, mobilization, exercise, education, and electrotherapy. The search was limited to studies published in English and studies that used human subjects. RESULTS: Quality scores of 33 articles were reviewed according to the Sackett’s critical appraisal criteria and the grades of recommendation were determined for physiotherapy interventions used in the studies. CONCLUSION: The empirical evidence suggests that certain physical therapy techniques and modalities are strongly recommended for pain relief, improvement of ROM, and functional status in patients with adhesive capsulitis, while others are either moderately or mildly recommended. However, the efficacy of one treatment modality over another is uncertain. The poor methodological rigors demonstrated in most of the reviewed studies emphasize the urgent need of properly conducted, adequately sampled randomized controlled trials with adequate follow up to determine the superior combination of treatment.

Efficacy of management of associated dysfunctions on rotator cuff and long head of the biceps: systematic review

“…In relation to this postoperative intervention, physiotherapy currently addresses shoulder dysfunction through numerous procedures [ 42 – 44 ], in accordance with authors such as Kuhn et al [ 45 ]. This study [ 45 ] considers joint mobilizations, massage, transcutaneous electrical stimulation nerve stimulation, US, laser treatment, extracorporeal shockwave [ 46 ], and a flexibility and strength exercise program [ 45 , 47 ].…”

Der Effekt von extrakorporaler Stoßwellentherapie bei Frozen Shoulder

“…Es könnte folglich sein, dass eine radiale ESWT-Applikation sowohl auf lokale Behandlungsbereiche des GHG als auch auf die Schulter-, Arm- und Schultergürtelmuskulatur einen höheren Effekt auf die Funktionsparameter Schmerz und Beweglichkeit hat [35]. Nakandala et al [36] überprüften die neuesten Erkenntnisse über die Wirksamkeit physiotherapeutischer Interventionen bei der Behandlung der Frozen Shoulder. Anhand des Grades der Evidenz teilten sie den untersuchten Interventionen einen Empfehlungsgrad für Ergebnismessungen zu.…”

Exercise Therapy Is Effective for Improvement in Range of Motion, Function, and Pain in Patients With Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Indeed, exercise therapy is usually part of a multimodal program and is often not provided as a single intervention. However, it is interesting to know whether a program with solely exercises is as The reference lists of included studies and interesting systematic reviews and meta-analyses concerning exercise therapy in patients with FS 11,13,14,17,21,25,26,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] were hand searched additionally. The last search took place on 18 April 2019 and was updated 25 May 2021.…”