Effectiveness of capsular stretching for adhesive capsulitis to reduce pain and improve function

Abstract

Background: The study evaluated the Capsular Stretching Exercise along with Conventional Physiotherapy applied to the shoulder joint for pain and functional impairment caused by Adhesive Capsulitis. Objectives: The study aims to determine the severity of pain, ROM, and muscle power before and after the application of Capsular Stretching along with conventional physiotherapy among patients with Adhesive Capsulitis. Methodology: An experimental study design was chosen for this study. 32 patients with Adhesive Capsulitis were randomly allocated into two groups, from the outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy unit, CRP. Among them 16 patients who were assigned to the trial group received Capsular Stretching Exercises along with conventional physiotherapy and another 16 in the control group received only conventional physiotherapy. The study was a single-blinded study which has been conducted at the musculoskeletal department of CRP, Savar. Numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to measure pain intensity in different functional positions, a Goniometer to measure ROM, and MMT for muscle power. Wilcoxon test and paired ‘t’ test are done to find out effectiveness in within group and Man Whitney U test and Unpaired ‘t’ test are done to compare the effectiveness in between two groups. Results: It was found that shoulder pain and shoulder disability had reduced both within and between a group of experimental and control groups. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement within a group (P<.05). But the experimental group (P=0.000) indicates slightly more significance than the control group. Conclusion: Capsular Stretching along with conventional physiotherapy can slightly improve the effects of only conventional physiotherapy in Adhesive Capsulitis. This exercise proved beneficial when combined with conventional physiotherapy to minimize disability levels, prevent recurrence, and reduce pain. Keywords: Shoulder joint, Capsular Stretching, and Conventional physiotherapy.