Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Kaltenborn mobilization combined with thermotherapy versus Kaltenborn mobilization alone in patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Hayatabad Medical Complex and Habib Physiotherapy Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January to June 2017, and comprised patients with adhesive capsulitis. The subjects were randomised into two groups. Group A received Kaltenborn mobilisation with thermotherapy, while group B received Kaltenborn mobilisation alone. Shoulder pain and disability index was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 30 patients, 15(50%) were in each of the two groups. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Pre- and post-treatment Shoulder pain and disability index score of group A was 75.27}5.738 and 12.33}1.988 respectively (p<0.05). Corresponding scores in group B were 73.67}6.137 and 64.13}5 (p<0.05). Group A showed greater reduction in disability compared to group B (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Kaltenborn mobilisation combined with thermotherapy was found to be more effective than Kaltenborn mobilisation alone in patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis, Mobilisation, Pain, Physiotherapy, Range of Motion. (JPMA 69: 1421; 2019) doi :10.5455/JPMA.279.