This study examined the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Thirty patients with adhesive capsulitis were divided into an experimental group (n=15) that would be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a control group (n=15) that would be treated only with conservative physical therapy. Both groups were treated three times a week over a four-week period. An intra-group comparison before and after the treatment showed that both groups experienced a decline in pain and an increase in their range of motion that were statistically significant. An inter-group comparison after the treatment showed that the experimental group had a lower level of pain and a higher range of motion than the control group that were statistically significant.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be an effective intervention for reducing pain and improving the range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.