Effectiveness of physical therapy for patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of a combined technique of physical and ibuprofen for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis with ibuprofen alone.


METHODS
122 subjects were randomly allocated to have 3 weeks treatment either with ibuprofen (n=61) or ibuprofen and a combined technique of physical therapy (n=61). Outcome measures were carried out 3 weeks and 12 weeks after randomization. Primary outcome measures were the success of treatment measured by improvement in the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and global rating.


RESULTS
At 3 weeks, 21 (35.0%) of 60 patients in the study group were considered to have had successful treatment compared with 11 (18.6%) of 59 in the control group (difference between groups 16.4%, 95% CI: 4.0-31.3, p=0.044). There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups at the 12th week follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the use of physical therapy for patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Pajareya
Kingkaew
K
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chadchavalpanichaya
Navaporn
N
Painmanakit
Somluck
S
Kaidwan
Chanjira
C
Puttaruksa
Patcharin
P
Wongsaranuchit
Yananee
Y
D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002062:Bursitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics