Adhesive Capsulitis, Frozen Shoulder
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomized exploratory clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of the GDS Muscle and Joint Chains Method compared with conventional physiotherapy in patients with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the GDS intervention group or the conventional physiotherapy control group. Both interventions consisted of eight 50-minute sessions administered twice weekly for four weeks. The primary therapeutic objectives were to improve shoulder range of motion and reduce pain. Shoulder mobility was assessed using goniometry, and pain intensity was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale. The study hypothesized that the GDS Muscle and Joint Chains Method would produce greater improvements in shoulder mobility and pain than conventional physiotherapy.
Interventions
OTHERGDS Muscle and Joint Chains Method
Participants received eight 50-minute sessions of the GDS Muscle and Joint Chains Method, administered twice weekly for four weeks. Treatment was individualized according to the participant's typology and included muscle reprogramming, postural and movement retraining, manual techniques applied along muscle-chain pathways, passive stretching, isometric and eccentric muscle activation, proprioceptive techniques, and strategies aimed at restoring balance between antagonistic and complementary muscle chains. Shoulder range of motion and pain intensity were assessed before and after the four-week intervention.
OTHERConventional Physiotherapy
Participants received eight 50-minute conventional physiotherapy sessions administered twice weekly for four weeks. Treatment included application of a hot compress to the affected shoulder, 15 minutes of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at 150 Hz with intensity adjusted to participant tolerance, 10 minutes of therapeutic ultrasound at 3 MHz and 0.8 W/cm² in pulsed mode at 50%, followed by 15 minutes of therapeutic exercise according to the MEDBRIDGE GO program. Shoulder range of motion and pain intensity were assessed before and after the intervention.
Sponsors
Anahuac University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age \>18 years. * Diagnosis of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) established by a specialist in Traumatology and Orthopedics. * Referral to the physiotherapy service. * No current therapeutic assistance. * Pharmacological treatment with NSAIDs and subacromial infiltration. * Acceptance and signing of informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Contraindication to electrotherapy. * Pacemaker. * Metallic osteosynthesis material. * Skin disorders in the area where electrodes would be applied. * Current therapeutic assistance.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Shoulder Range of Motion | Baseline and 4 weeks | Shoulder range of motion was measured in degrees using goniometry. Measurements included shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation at 90° of abduction, and external rotation at 0°. |
| Change in Pain Intensity | Baseline and 4 weeks | Pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing the greatest pain intensity. |
Countries
Mexico
Outcome results
None listed