Ab1585-HPR Which Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique Is Effective on Shoulder Range of Motion and Pain in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis?

Background: Adhesive capsulitis is a common painful disorder of the shoulder joint characterized by restricting both active and passive shoulder joint range of motion. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) effectively improves and maintains the range of motion; however, it is not clear which PNF technique is more effective in the shoulder range of motion and pain intensity in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the single-session various PNF techniques (hold-relax, contract-relax, and rhythmic stabilization) on the shoulder range of motion and pain intensity in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: Thirty-three patients (21 Female/ 12 Male; Mean Age: 52.3±5.2 years, BMI: 22.7 kg/m², Duration of Disease: 45.2 ± 13.8 days) with adhesive capsulitis were assigned to one of three treatment groups, each consisting of one PNF technique: hold-relax, contract-relax, and rhythmic stabilization. The passive and active ranges of flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder joint were measured with the use of a standard goniometer. Pain intensity was assessed with a Visual Analog Scale. Nonparametric tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the three PNF techniques could increase the passive and active shoulder range of motion in all directions and decrease pain intensity (p<0.05). However, it was found that the rhythmic stabilization technique increased the abduction and external rotation range of motion statically significantly greater than the other techniques (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that all three PNF techniques resulted in an acute increase in active and passive shoulder range of motion and decreased pain intensity in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The rhythmic stabilization technique resulted in the greatest increase in the abduction and external rotation range of motion and would be the most clinically beneficial for patients with adhesive capsulitis. REFERENCES: [1] Lin P, Yang M, Huang D, Lin H, Wang J, Zhong C, Guan L. Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on the treatment of frozen shoulder: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Apr 20;23(1):367. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05327-4. PMID: 35443651; PMCID: PMC9020070. [2] Tedla JS, Sangadala DR. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques in adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019 Dec 1;19(4):482-491. PMID: 31789299; PMCID: PMC6944810. [3] Olędzka M, Jaczewska-Bogacka J. Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) in Improving Shoulder Range of Motion. A Pilot Study. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2017 May 10;19(3):285-292. PMID: 29086753. Acknowledgements: The author thanks TÜBİTAK for financial support. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.