Effect of adding median nerve mobilization to glenohumeral joint mobilization in patients with adhesive Capsulitis. Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about neural mobilization techniques (NMTs) for addressing mobility restriction in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). This randomized, single blinded controlled trial was designed to determine the effect of adding median nerve NMTs to the glenohumeral (GH) joint mobilization in patients with AC.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients with AC, aged 40 to 70 years, were included and randomly assigned into two groups. The study group (A) received median nerve NMTs and GH joint mobilization while the control group (B) received only GH joint mobilization. Both groups received conventional physical therapy for three sessions per week for six weeks. Passive ROM of GH abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation were the main outcomes while the secondary outcomes were pain intensity, functional disability.

RESULTS

Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there was statistically significant improvement over time for all outcomes for both groups (P < 0.05). The study group was favored in between-group differences for VAS, function, and GH abduction ROM (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed between-groups for external or internal rotation ROM (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating median nerve NMTs with GH joint mobilization provides beneficial effects for patients with AC in terms of reduction of pain severity, improving function, and increasing GH abduction mobility. However, adding of median nerve mobilization did not provide gains in external or internal rotation ROM.