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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Physical Therapy | Research

Efficacy of a high-intensity home stretching device and traditional physical therapy in non-operative management of adhesive capsulitis - a prospective, randomized control trial

Authors: David E. Teytelbaum, Neil S. Kumar, Craig S. Dent, Spencer Neaville, Deborah H. Warren, Peter Simon, Christopher E. Baker

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Historically, in-person physical therapy serves as a foundational component of nonoperative treatment of adhesive capsulitis (AC). This study compares the effectiveness of an at-home high-intensity stretch (HIS) device to traditional physical therapy (PT) and to PT in combination with the HIS device. We hypothesize that the HIS device will be as effective as PT alone or as combination therapy in the first-line treatment of AC and use of the HIS device will exhibit improvement at higher rate.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis and a minimum of 12 months follow-up were included in this study. Patients were randomized into one of the three groups: HIS device, PT alone, or HIS device + PT. Passive range of motion (ROM), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores were measured. Additionally, patient satisfaction, compliance and complications were recorded. Paired t-test, ANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used in analysis.

Results

Final ROM in all planes improved for all groups compared to baseline (p < 0.001), with only HIS device group able to restore > 95% of contralateral ROM in all planes at final follow-up. Patients with PT alone were on average slowest to improve ROM from baseline, at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year in all planes except internal rotation. ASES and SST scores improved for all groups when compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Use of HIS-device resulted in greater improvement in SST and ASES Total scores compared to PT alone (p = 0.045, and p = 0.048, respectively).

Conclusions

Use of an at-home high-intensity stretching device for conservative treatment of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis improves outcomes in ROM and in ASES and SST scores both when used as an adjunct to physical therapy and when used alone.

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (20/05/2022, NCT05384093).

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Title: Efficacy of a high-intensity home stretching device and traditional physical therapy in non-operative management of adhesive capsulitis - a prospective, randomized control trial
Authors: David E. Teytelbaum
Neil S. Kumar
Craig S. Dent
Spencer Neaville
Deborah H. Warren
Peter Simon
Christopher E. Baker
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Physical Therapy
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07448-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Efficacy of a high-intensity home stretching device and traditional physical therapy in non-operative management of adhesive capsulitis - a prospective, randomized control trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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