Comparative Effects of Gongs Mobilization and Scapular Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion and Disability in Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive Capsulitis also known as frozen shoulder is a self-limiting disorder of the shoulder joint characterized by pain, loss of joint ROM and functional limitation which usually resolves in 12-15 months. It develops when the glenohumeral capsule undergoes inflammation and is fibrosed as a result. Shoulder of an Adhesive capsulitis patient undergoes three stages; Freezing(0-6 months), Frozen (4 months-6 months) and Thawing(6 months- 2 years). Physical therapy is of considerable importance in management of adhesive capsulitis patients. Different physical therapy techniques and modalities have been used in reducing pain and increasing ROM in frozen shoulder.

It is a randomized clinical trial and random sampling was used with an inclusion criterion of confirmed adhesive capsulitis patients. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of two mobilizations: Gongs and Scapular mobilization in terms of effects on pain, range of motion and functional status. Patients having acute inflammation, fracture, dislocation or any surgery around the shoulder joint were excluded from the study. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups with group A receiving Gongs mobilization and group B receiving scapular mobilization in addition to Continuous passive motion which was given as a baseline therapy to both the groups. Total duration of the study was 6 months. Numeric pain rating scale, universal goniometry and Shoulder pain and disability index were used to measure the pain, range of motion and functionality respectively at the start and end of study. After collecting data from defined study setting, data was entered and analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows software, version 25. After assessing normality of data by Shapiro-Wilk test, it was decided either parametric or non-parametric test to be used.