Introduction: Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, is a condition of
unclear origin, characterized by pain and progressive reduction in both active and passive
range of motion in the shoulder joint. Approximately 2–3% of the general population is
affected by this condition, with older women being predominantly impacted. This
significantly affects their ability to work and reduces their quality of life. Purpose: The
aim of this review is to analyze physiotherapy approaches for the treatment of adhesive
capsulitis (frozen shoulder) and to assess their effectiveness in reducing pain and
improving shoulder mobility. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the
PubMed database with the keywords “Physiotherapy AND adhesive capsulitis.” Inclusion
criteria were freely accessible clinical and randomized controlled clinical trials published
in English that investigated physiotherapy approaches for treating adhesive capsulitis.
Exclusion criteria included literature reviews and meta-analyses. Results: Based on the
inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies were selected for final review. These studies
examined the effects of different physiotherapy protocols on pain, range of motion,
strength, and functionality. Despite variability in methodologies, the results suggest that
structured rehabilitation protocols significantly contribute to reducing pain and improving
range of motion. Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that all studied
physiotherapy approaches were effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion,
although the methods and measurement tools varied between studies. The findings suggest
that a combination of different therapeutic approaches is key to optimizing the treatment of
frozen shoulder and providing individualized patient care. Despite the positive results
further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm
the long-term effects of these methods.
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