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.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: 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.