Effectiveness of Physical Therapy for Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Kingkaew Pajareya MD*, Navaporn Chadchavalpanichaya MD*, Somluck Painmanakit PT*, Chanjira Kaidwan PT*, Patcharin Puttaruksa PT*, Yananee Wongsaranuchit RN*
Affiliation : * Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : To compare the effectiveness of a combined technique of physical and ibuprofen for the treatment
of adhesive capsulitis with ibuprofen alone.
Materials and 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.
Conclusion : The results of this study support the use of physical therapy for patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Keywords : Randomised controlled trial, Physical Therapy, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Adhesive capsulitis
