Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis

Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Techniques in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is a condition that causes limitation of function and movement in the shoulder joint and affects many activities of daily life. The clinical indicators of adhesive capsulitis; shoulder pain and progressive global stiffness of the glenohumeral joint, night pains and accompanying sleep disturbances, joint capsule contracture, decrease in synovial fluid, abnormal changes in scapular position, functional limitation and consequently decreased quality of life. When we look at the literature, it is seen that traditional rehabilitation practices aim to improve range of motion and reduce pain caused by capsular contracture. In this context, classical therapeutic exercises consisting of stretching and strengthening, joint mobilization methods, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation methods are applied. However, there are limited number of studies investigating the effects of PNF techniques on pain, function and activity limitation. Therefore, within the scope of the research, it is planned to apply a traditional rehabilitation program prepared in accordance with the guidelines for one group, and PNF approaches for the upper extremity and scapula in the other group. Thus, it is aimed to examine the effects of the use of upper extremity and scapula PNF techniques on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception, quality of life, sleep and patient satisfaction compared to traditional exercises in adhesive capsulitis rehabilitation. Exercises will be applied 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Each training session will last 45 minutes. Pain, function, range of motion, proprioception, quality of life and sleep quality evaluations will be performed at the beginning of the study and at the end of 4 weeks.

Adhesive capsulitis is a shoulder pathology characterized by contracture of the glenohumeral joint capsule and progressive pain with loss of range of motion. The disease picture is generally examined in 3 phases as painful phase, freezing phase and thaw phase. It is generally characterized by pain, decreased range of motion, function, activity limitations, night pain and sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances associated with function, activity limitations and night pain negatively affect the patients' quality of life. In the literature, the success rate of conservative treatment is shown as 90%.

Conservative treatment consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and therapeutic exercises. The purpose of therapeutic exercises in general; to reduce pain, increase range of motion, decrease activity limitations, increase scapulohumeral rhythm by correcting impaired shoulder joint biomechanics and improve function. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is an exercise concept that uses proprioceptors to increase responses of the neuromuscular mechanism, range of motion and muscle activation. PNF techniques are applied to improve muscle strength, endurance, mobility, stability, coordination and neuromuscular control and can be easily adapted to daily life activities.

In the literature, it is aimed to increase the glenohumeral joint movements and regulate the scapulothoracic rhythm in the rehabilitation of adhesive capsulitis. However, the number of studies in the literature comparing upper extremity and scapular PNF patterns with classical exercises targeting the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints is limited. For this reason, the aim of the study is to focus on the structures involved in shoulder movements in adhesive capsulitis rehabilitation as a whole, and to examine the effects of the use of upper extremity and scapula PNF techniques on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception, quality of life, sleep and patient satisfaction compared to traditional exercises in patients with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being diagnosed with unilateral adhesive capsulitis (stage II-III)
• Being between at the ages of 35-65
• Complaints ongoing for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
• Being diagnosed with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, rotator cuff injury, radiculopathy
• Neurological diseases such as cerebrovascular accident, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, thoracic outlet syndrome
• Dislocation, subluxation, fracture, infection, tumor
• History of shoulder surgery
• People who cannot cooperate with physiotherapist and exercises.