The effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions in treatment of frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for pain relief, improving function, and range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder.
Results Summary
LLLT was strongly suggested for pain relief and moderately suggested for improving function but not recommended for improving range of motion in frozen shoulder patients.
Population
Patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Therapeutic exercises and mobilization | decrease | pain | patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder | - | strongly recommended for reducing | #1 |
Therapeutic exercises and mobilization | increase | range of motion (ROM) | patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder | - | improving | #2 |
Therapeutic exercises and mobilization | increase | function | patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder | - | improving | #3 |
Low-level laser therapy | decrease | pain relief | - | - | strongly suggested for | #4 |
Low-level laser therapy | increase | function | - | - | moderately suggested for improving | #5 |
Low-level laser therapy | no change | ROM | - | - | not recommended for improving | #6 |
Corticosteroid injections | neutral | stage 1 frozen shoulder | - | - | can be used for | #7 |
Acupuncture with therapeutic exercises | decrease | pain relief | - | - | moderately recommended for | #8 |
Acupuncture with therapeutic exercises | increase | ROM | - | - | improving | #9 |
Acupuncture with therapeutic exercises | increase | function | - | - | improving | #10 |
Electro-therapy | decrease | short-term pain relief | - | - | can help in providing | #11 |
Continuous passive motion | decrease | short-term pain relief | - | - | recommended for | #12 |
Continuous passive motion | no change | ROM | - | - | not for improving | #13 |
Continuous passive motion | no change | function | - | - | not for improving | #14 |
Deep heat | decrease | pain relief | - | - | can be used for | #15 |
Deep heat | increase | ROM | - | - | improving | #16 |
Ultrasound | no change | pain relief | - | - | not recommended for | #17 |
Ultrasound | no change | ROM | - | - | not recommended for improving | #18 |
Ultrasound | no change | function | - | - | not recommended for improving | #19 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Frozen shoulder is a common condition, yet its treatment remains challenging. In this review, the current best evidence for the use of physical therapy interventions (PTI) is evaluated. METHOD: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Sport Discus were searched for studies published in English since 2000. RESULTS: 39 articles describing the PTI were analyzed using Sackett's levels of evidence and were examined for scientific rigor. The PTI were given grades of recommendation that ranged from A to C. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic exercises and mobilization are strongly recommended for reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM) and function in patients with stages 2 and 3 of frozen shoulder. Low-level laser therapy is strongly suggested for pain relief and moderately suggested for improving function but not recommended for improving ROM. Corticosteroid injections can be used for stage 1 frozen shoulder. Acupuncture with therapeutic exercises is moderately recommended for pain relief, improving ROM and function. Electro- therapy can help in providing short-term pain relief. Continuous passive motion is recommended for short-term pain relief but not for improving ROM or function. Deep heat can be used for pain relief and improving ROM. Ultrasound for pain relief, improving ROM or function is not recommended.