Efficacy of a static progressive stretch device as an adjunct to physical therapy in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a prospective, randomised study

60 patients (60 shoulders) with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder were randomized to traditional therapy either combined with the use of a static progressive stretch device, or to traditional therapy alone. The efficacy of the device was evaluated with respect to clinical and functional outcomes up to 1 year. Results indicated that range of motion significantly improved in the static progressive stretch device group compared to the control group at all follow-up periods up to 1 year. Moreover, improvements in pain and DASH scores were maintained in the stretch device group after 12 months whereas they were not in the control group.