The Efficacy of Manual Physiotherapy Techniques in the Management of the Freezing Phase of Adhesive Capsulitis

Abstract

This research study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week manual physiotherapy intervention on pain levels, joint mobility and functional disability in patients diagnosed with the freezing stage of adhesive capsulitis. Participants (freezing stage) of the study were selected from Al-Zahra Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Center within the Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital Lahore, Pakistan and similarly participants were randomly categorized into two groups’ i.e.  Control group (CG) and Experimental group (EG). Each group comprised of twenty (20) participants. The Experimental Group underwent a 12-week structured manual physiotherapy program consisting of specific mobilization techniques and supervised exercises. On the other hand, the Control Group received standard care without targeted manual intervention. Three primary metrics were used for pre- and post-intervention assessment: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was employed to evaluate structural changes and functional disability markers, a Goniometer was used to measure improvements in the range of motion (ROM) and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was used to quantify changes in pain intensity. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, Version-26). Results of the study indicated that a 12-week manual physiotherapy program is a highly effective, non-invasive approach for rehabilitating adhesive capsulitis in its frozen stage, providing a viable pathway for restoring joint function and enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.