Adhesive Capsulitis: Prospective Analysis of Efficacy and Financial Impact for Use of Physical Therapy in Treatment

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Nov 3, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effectiveness and costs of physical therapy for treating adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder. Participants who are 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with this condition may be eligible to join. The study will randomly place participants into two groups: one will receive regular physical therapy along with steroid injections, while the other group will only receive steroid injections followed by careful monitoring. Researchers want to find out if physical therapy really helps improve patient outcomes and whether the additional costs of therapy are worth it.

If you decide to participate, you'll receive either physical therapy or just the steroid injections, depending on which group you are assigned to. The study is looking for participants who can speak English and are not pregnant or have previously had surgery for their frozen shoulder. This trial is currently recruiting, and your involvement could help improve treatment options for others with this painful condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patient must be 18 years or older
• • Must meet the following definition for adhesive capsulitis as defined by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Self-limiting condition resulting from any inflammatory process about the shoulder in which capsular scar tissue is produced, resulting in pain and limited range of motion; also called frozen shoulder
• • Must be amenable to randomization into either cohort
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Non-English speaking patients
• • Pregnant women (women of childbearing potential will be advised to undergo regular pregnancy testing)
• • Patients who had previously undergone operative therapy for the condition