Mobilization Techniques in Subjects With Frozen Shoulder Syndrome: Randomized Multiple-Treatment Trial

• Published in: Physical therapy Vol. 87; no. 10; pp. 1307 - 1315
• Main Authors: Yang, Jing-lan, Chang, Chein-wei, Chen, Shiau-yee, Wang, Shwu-Fen, Lin, Jiu-jenq
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Physical Therapy Association 01.10.2007; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Causes of; Clinical medicine; Clinical trials; Data analysis; Data collection; Exercise Movement Techniques - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitals; Human subjects; Humans; Joint Diseases - physiopathology; Joint Diseases - rehabilitation; Male; Middle Aged; Observations; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Recovery of Function - physiology; Rheumatoid arthritis; Shoulder; Shoulder injuries; Shoulder Joint; Standard deviation; Studies; Survival analysis; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; United States
• ISSN: 0031-9023; 1538-6724
• DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20060295

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of 3 mobilization techniques--end-range mobilization (ERM), mid-range mobilization (MRM), and mobilization with movement (MWM)--in the management of subjects with frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS). Twenty-eight subjects with FSS were recruited. A multiple-treatment trial on 2 groups (A-B-A-C and A-C-A-B, where A=MRM, B=ERM, and C=MWM) was carried out. The duration of each treatment was 3 weeks, for a total of 12 weeks. Outcome measures included the functional score and shoulder kinematics. Overall, subjects in both groups improved over the 12 weeks. Statistically significant improvements were found in ERM and MWM. Additionally, MWM corrected scapulohumeral rhythm significantly better than ERM did. In subjects with FSS, ERM and MWM were more effective than MRM in increasing mobility and functional ability. Movement strategies in terms of scapulohumeral rhythm improved after 3 weeks of MWM.