Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Apr;28(4):1219-27.
doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.1219. Epub 2016 Apr 28.

Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

Nilay Comuk Balcı  1 , Zeliha Ozlem Yuruk  1 , Aslican Zeybek  1 , Mustafa Gulsen  2 , Mustafa Agah Tekindal  3
Affiliations

Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

Nilay Comuk Balcı et al. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of our study was to compare the initial effects of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques and classic exercise interventions with physiotherapy modalities on pain, scapular dyskinesis, range of motion, and function in adhesive capsulitis. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-three subjects were allocated to 3 groups: scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercies and physiotherapy modalities, classic exercise and physiotherapy modalities, and only physiotherapy modalities. The intervention was applied in a single session. The Visual Analog Scale, Lateral Scapular Slide Test, range of motion and Simple Shoulder Test were evaluated before and just after the one-hour intervention in the same session (all in one session). [Results] All of the groups showed significant differences in shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion and Simple Shoulder Test scores. There were statistically significant differences in Visual Analog Scale scores in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and control groups, and no treatment method had significant effect on the Lateral Scapular Slide Test results. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before and after the intervention. [Conclusion] Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, classic exercise, and physiotherapy modalities had immediate effects on adhesive capsulitis in our study. However, there was no additional benefit of exercises in one session over physiotherapy modalities. Also, an effective treatment regimen for shoulder rehabilitation of adhesive capsulitis patients should include scapular exercises.

Keywords: Exercise; Pain; Shoulder.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flow diagram of the process of allocation of subfects to the three groups
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
A) Anterior elevation of the scapula, B) posterior depression of the scapula, C) posterior elevation of the scapula, D) anterior depression of the scapula
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Neviaser AS, Neviaser RJ: Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. J Am AcadOrthopSurg, 2011, 19: 536–542. - PubMed
    1. Neviaser AS, Hannafin JA: Adhesive capsulitis: a review of current treatment. Am J Sports Med, 2010, 38: 2346–2356. - PubMed
    1. Park SW, Lee HS, Kim JH: The effectiveness of intensive mobilization techniques combined with capsular distension for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. J Phys Ther Sci, 2014, 26: 1767–1770. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Dudkiewicz I, Oran A, Salai M, et al. : Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis: long-term results of conservative treatment. Isr Med Assoc J, 2004, 6: 524–526. - PubMed
    1. Jürgel J, Rannama L, Gapeyeva H, et al. : Shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder before and after 4-week rehabilitation. Medicina (Kaunas), 2005, 41: 30–38. - PubMed