Efficacy of Different Types of Mobilization Techniques in Patients With Primary Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: A Systematic Review.
To systematically review the literature for efficacy of isolated articular mobilization techniques in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder.



PubMed and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published before November 2014. Additional references were identified by manual screening of the reference lists.



All English language randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of mobilization techniques on range of motion (ROM) and pain in adult patients with primary AC of the shoulder were included in this systematic review. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 810 patients were included.



Two reviewers independently screened the articles, scored methodologic quality, and extracted data for analysis. The review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. All studies were assessed in duplicate for risk of bias using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale for randomized controlled trials.



The efficacy of 7 different types of mobilization techniques was evaluated. Angular mobilization (n=2), Cyriax approach (n=1), and Maitland technique (n=6) showed improvement in pain score and ROM. With respect to translational mobilizations (n=1), posterior glides are preferred to restore external rotation. Spine mobilizations combined with glenohumeral stretching and both angular and translational mobilization (n=1) had a superior effect on active ROM compared with sham ultrasound. High-intensity mobilization (n=1) showed less improvement in the Constant Murley Score than a neglect group. Finally, positive long-term effects of the Mulligan technique (n=1) were found on both pain and ROM.



Overall, mobilization techniques have beneficial effects in patients with primary AC of the shoulder. Because of preliminary evidence for many mobilization techniques, the Maitland technique and combined mobilizations seem recommended at the moment.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Pain in Motion Research Group, Belgium.
Suzie
S
Noten
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Pain in Motion Research Group, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Mira
M
Meeus
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
Gaetane
G
Stassijns
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
Francis
F
Van Glabbeek
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, AZ Monica, Antwerp, Belgium.
Olivier
O
Verborgt
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Pain in Motion Research Group, Belgium. Electronic address: filip.struyf@uantwerpen.be.
Filip
F
Struyf
D002062:Bursitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Bursitis; Rehabilitation; Review [publication type]