Effectiveness of sustained stretching of the inferior capsule in the management of a frozen shoulder

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

100 patients diagnosed with a frozen shoulder were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups to determine the additive effect a countertraction device had on conventional physiotherapy. Participants received an intervention that consisted of countertraction intervention and physiotherapy (group 1) or physiotherapy alone (group 2). Results from the study indicated that both groups experienced significant but similar improvements in shoulder flexion/ abduction ROM and pain. However, when comparing Oxford Shoulder Scores, it was determined that 60% of patients in the experimental (countertraction) group improved to the fourth stage of satisfactory joint function compared to 18% in the control.