Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of manual medicine therapy in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder.

Method: Twelve patients with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder were treated with the muscle energy technique of Greenman in manual medicine therapy. The muscle energy technique of Greenman was repeated 6 times for each subject. The therapeutic effect of manual medicine therapy was assessed by the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after the treatment. Two patients took the fluoroscopic examination before and after the treatment.

Results: After the manual medicine therapy, active range of shoulder motion were increased by 30.0^o in forward flexion, by 21.2^o in abduction, by 11.2^o in external rotation, and by 18.7^o in internal rotation, respectively. The visual analogue scale was decreased after treatment. None of the subjects complained pain during treatment. The mobility of shoulder joint was improved and the rhythm of scapulohumeral joint was restored.

Conclusion: The manual medicine therapy is an effective, tolerable and noninvasive treatment method for the painful adhesive capsulitis of shoulder.

• Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis, Manual medicine therapy, Muscle energy technique, Range of motion (ROM), Visual analogue scale (VAS)