Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on the treatment of frozen shoulder: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Ping Lin; Moudan Yang; Deqing Huang; Huan Lin; Jialin Wang; Chaoping Zhong; Li Guan

doi:10.1186/s12891-022-05327-4

Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on the treatment of frozen shoulder: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Apr 20;23(1):367. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05327-4.

Authors

Ping Lin¹, Moudan Yang¹, Deqing Huang¹, Huan Lin², Jialin Wang², Chaoping Zhong¹, Li Guan³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Fushun People's Hospital, 47 Xiangyun Street West section, Zigong, China.
² Department of Radiology, The Fushun People's Hospital, 490 Jixiang Road, Fushi Street Zigong, Fushun, China.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Fushun People's Hospital, 47 Xiangyun Street West section, Zigong, China. guandoctor@126.com.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Frozen shoulder is a common painful disease of the shoulder joint characterized by structural changes in the shoulder joint, restricting both active and passive shoulder joint activities. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) effectively improved and maintained the range of motion; however, it is not clear whether it can improve the shoulder joint structure in patients with frozen shoulder. This pilot study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) observation to assess the improvement of the local structure of the shoulder joint upon PNF treatment to elucidate a target based on structure for the treatment of frozen shoulder.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients with frozen shoulder were randomly divided into the traditional manual therapy group and the PNF technique group. Changes in the thicknesses of the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) and capsule in axillary recess (CAR) of the shoulder joint were observed via MRI upon admission and at 4 weeks after treatment. A visual analog scale (VAS) and passive shoulder range of motion (ROM) at abduction, anteflexion and external rotation position were used to evaluate the improvement of shoulder joint pain and function in the initial, mid-term, and discharge of the two groups of patients.

Results: The primary outcome results shown that the PNF joint mobilization significantly reduced the thickness of the CHL (p = 0.0217) and CAR (p = 0.0133). Compared with simple joint mobilization, The mid-term and discharge rehabilitation assessment results showed that PNF has a better effect on shoulder pain. At the mid-term evaluation, the ROM of the PNF group was significantly better than that of the Control group in the three directions (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: As an adjunctive therapy, PNF can improve the shoulder joint structure of patients with frozen shoulder and is an effective treatment strategy for frozen shoulder.

Keywords: Frozen shoulder; Magnetic resonance imaging; Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; Rehabilitation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Bursitis* / diagnostic imaging
Bursitis* / therapy
Humans
Muscle Stretching Exercises*
Pilot Projects
Range of Motion, Articular
Shoulder Joint* / diagnostic imaging
Shoulder Pain / diagnostic imaging
Shoulder Pain / therapy