Objective: To evaluate Mulligan’s technique for relieving pain and improving functional capacity of the shoulder in patients with adhesive capsulitis in the stiffness phase.
Design: Randomized controlled study.
Methods: A total of 40 subjects were randomly allocated into
2 groups: (i) group 1 (n = 20) were treated with hot pack,
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and passive
stretching exercises; (ii) group 2 (n = 20) were treated with
hot pack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and
Mulligan’s technique. Mulligan’s technique combines the
sustained application of a manual “gliding” force to a joint,
with the aim of repositioning bone positional faults while
enabling concurrent physiological (osteo-kinematic) motion
of the joint. All cases were evaluated using visual analogue
scales for pain, passive and active range of motion, Constant
score, Shoulder Disability Questionnaire, and patient and
therapist satisfaction at baseline, after completion of treatment
sessions and at the end of 3 months of follow-up.
Results: Marked improvement was noted in both groups after
completion of treatment sessions and at the third month
of follow-up compared with baseline. The improvements in
outcome measures, namely pain, range of motion, shoulder
scores, and patient and physiotherapist satisfaction, were
significantly greater in subjects in group 2, who were treated
with Mulligan’s technique.
Conclusion: Mulligan’s technique and passive stretching
exercises are both effective in reducing pain, and restoring
range of motion and function. However, compared with
stretching exercises, Mulligan’s technique led to better improvements
in terms of pain, range of motion, shoulder
scores, and patient and physiotherapist satisfaction