Effects of the Spencer Technique Combined with Injection Therapy on Pain and Range of Motion in Middle-aged Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis

Purpose This study evaluated the effects of the Spencer technique combined with injection therapy (STIT) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and function in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods This study was designed as a nonrandomized, prospective comparative study involving patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) (n = 30). Participants were allocated to either the STIT group (n = 15; mean age: 52.47 ± 3.98) or the control group (n = 15; mean age: 49.40 ± 6.43). Both groups received injection therapy over a period of 3 weeks. In addition, the STIT group received the Spencer technique twice weekly for 3 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the 3week intervention period using ROM, numeric rating scale (NRS), and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Results Withingroup analyses (paired t test) showed significant improvements in ROM, NRS, and SPADI in both groups (p < 0.001). Analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline scores, revealed significantly greater improvements in ROM and greater reductions in pain and disability in the STIT group compared with controls (p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings of this preliminary study suggest that STIT results in significantly greater improvements in shoulder ROM, pain reduction, and functional outcomes compared to injection therapy alone, even within a short term, 3week intervention period. These results indicate that the Spencer technique may serve as an effective adjunct to injection therapy for enhancing clinical outcomes in patients with adhesive capsulitis, even over a short intervention period