Article

Painful stiffening of the shoulder, 'frozen shoulder' is a common cause of
shoulder pain and disability. Continuous passive motion (CPM) is an established
method of preventing joint stiffness and of overcoming it.
A randomized,
comparative prospective clinical trial was planned to compare the early response
with different rehabilitation methods [CPM vs. conventional physiotherapy
treatment (CPT) protocol] for adhesive capsulitis taking into consideration the
clinical efficacy. A total of 57 patients with frozen shoulder were included in
this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive daily CPM treatments or
CPT protocol. Parameters were measured at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 12. All
patients were evaluated with respect to pain (visual anologue scale) at rest,
pain at movement, pain at night, measurement of range of motion (shoulder
flexion, abduction, internal-external rotation were assessed), constant
functional shoulder score and the shoulder pain and disability index. The first
group (n=29) (CPM group) received CPM treatments for 1 h once a day for 20 days
during a period of 4 weeks. The second group (n=28) (CPT group) had a daily
physiotherapy treatment protocol including active stretching and pendulum
exercises for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. All patients
in both groups were also instructed in a standardized home exercise programme
consisting of passive range of motion and pendulum exercises to be performed
every day. In both groups, statistically significant improvements were detected
in all outcome measures compared with baseline. Pain reduction, however,
evaluated with respect to pain at rest, at movement and at night was better in
CPM group. In addition the CPM group showed better shoulder pain index scores
than the CPT group. CPM treatment provides better response in pain reduction than
the conventional physiotherapy treatment protocol in the early phase of treatment
in adhesive capsulitis.

Langue : ANGLAIS