Clinical effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture and physiotherapy in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

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68 patients, age 18 or older, diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (AC) were randomized to receive treatment with bee venom acupuncture at varying doses in conjunction with physiotherapy, or a normal saline injection and physiotherapy (placebo). Assessment using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), VAS, and active/passive ROM values indicated an additive effect of bee venom in the treatment of AC. Patients receiving bee venom acupuncture and physiotherapy as treatment had significantly better SPADI (at the 8 and 12 week follow up) and VAS scores at rest and during motion at different time points when compared to the control group. No difference in ROM was found between bee venom acupuncture and control groups. Dosage/concentration of bee venom had no significant effect on bee venom acupuncture results.