Impact of TECAR Therapy on Pain and Function in Adhesive Capsulitis:

Impact of TECAR Therapy on Pain and Function in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) therapy is a heat therapy method that increases blood circulation at the microscopic level by generating heat in the upper and lower layers of your tissues, reduces inflammation and supports tissue regeneration. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether this treatment reduces pain and improves functioning in patients with frozen shoulder disease.

Adhesive capsulitis (AC), commonly known as "frozen shoulder," is a prevalent and painful condition resulting from the contracture of the glenohumeral capsule, which significantly impacts individuals' quality of life. While AC is self-limiting in many cases, some patients may experience long-term functional limitations if not treated promptly. One promising intervention is transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy, which has gained attention for its potential to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve pain management by generating heat in superficial and deep tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TECAR therapy on pain and functional outcomes in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC).

This prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial included 60 patients [TECAR group: 30, (50.37 ± 13.90 years); control group: 30, (55.27 ± 10.44 years)]. Both groups completed a 2-week tailored therapeutic exercise program, with 30-minute hot pack application and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The TECAR group also received three TECAR therapy sessions per week, for a total of six sessions. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional status with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and supraspinatus tendon thickness and bicipital effusion were assessed via ultrasonography. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, 1 and 3 months post-treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who were than 18 years of age
• Patients with unilateral shoulder pain of at least 3 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS);
• Patients who experienced a more than 50% loss of passive ROM (abduction or external rotation) in the glenohumeral joint relative to the unaffected side
• Patients who had been experiencing the related symptoms for ≥ 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had previous shoulder surgery
• Patients who had shoulder injection within the last 3 months
• Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease,
• Patients with cervical radiculopathy
• Pregnant patients
• Pateints with thyroid disease
• Patients with malignancy,
• Patients who had history of cardiac pacemakers,
• Patients with epilepsy
• Patients who had neurological disease with or without cognitive impairment