Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound in treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: In treatment of adhesive capsulitis, deep heating agents have been shown to have positive effects on pain and function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if addition of ultrasound used in treatment of adhesive capsulitis will provide additional benefits.

METHODS: Thirty patients with adhesive capsulitis were included in a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Hotpack, TENS (Transcutaneus Electrical Nerve Stimulation), exercise and active ultrasound therapies were applied to the first group (n= 15), whereas sham ultrasound was applied to the second group (n= 15) in addition to hotpack, TENS and exercise. The patients were evaluated using joint range of motion, UCLA shoulder scale and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire scales at baseline and at 6th and 24th weeks post-treatment.

RESULTS: When pain and the clinical and functional parameters were compared in both groups, significant improvement was found compared to baseline (p< 0.001). At week 24, no difference was found in terms of pain at rest, but all other parameters were improved compared to week 6. When the groups were compared, no difference was found in any comparison between 6th and 24th week (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Adding ultrasound treatment to a combination of physical therapy modalities did not provide any additional benefits for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis.