Comparison of The Effectiveness of High-intensity Laser and Ultrasound Therapies in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Study

INTRODUCTION AC is a common musculoskeletal disease characterized with pain on the patients' shoulder, movement restriction and insufficiency in daily life activities [1]. The prevalence of AC is between 2-5% in general population and higher between the ages of 40 and 60 and among women [2].

The aim in the treatment of AC is to relieve pain and increase the joint range of motion (ROM) and functioning [5]. The treatment of AC remains controversial because the level of evidence for various treatments is limited [6]. Controlled prospective studies are difficult to design and perform because of controversies in the definition, classification, diagnosis and stages of AC [6]. Many different treatment methods such as medical treatment, physical therapy, exercises, intraarticular steroid injections, suprascapular nerve block, manipulation under anesthesia, and surgical interventions are used in the treatment of AC [7]. Although many different treatment methods are used in the treatment of AC there is no consensus on the standard treatment method. Positive effects of physical therapy practices on AC in the short and long term have been revealed [8].

Among physical therapy practices, superficial and deep heating agents (infrared radiation, hot pack, shortwave diathermy, low-density laser therapy, HILT and US, etc.), electrotherapy modalities (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), diadinamic current, galvanic current, etc.) and exercises are used alone or in combination in the treatment of AC [9]. Therapeutic US is often used in physical therapy practices in the treatment of AC and the interest in HILT has recently been increasing as well [10].

This study aimed to investigate whether there was a difference between therapeutic US and HILT in terms of the short-term and long-term effects on pain, ROM and functional condition in the treatment of AC.

METHODS The study was designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled, and single-blind study. A total of 60 patients who were admitted to the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic with pain and movement restriction in their shoulder and who signed the patient information consent form were included in the study.