Effects of Exercise Intervention (with and without Joint Mobilization) in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This review aimed to investigate the effects of exercise and exercise with joint mobilization on shoulder range of motion (ROM) and subjective symptom recovery in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). Related Studies published from 2000 to 2021 that were peer-reviewed and for which pre-and post-values could be calculated were extracted from PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria. As a result of calculating the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), both exercise and exercise with joint mobilization showed a large effect on shoulder ROM and subjective outcomes. The combination showed a more significant effect than exercise alone on shoulder flexion (SMD = −1.59 [−2.34, −0.65]), extension (SMD = −1.47 [−2.05, −0.89]), internal rotation (SMD = −1.77 [−2.17, −1.36], external rotation (SMD = −2.18 [−2.92, −1.44]), and abduction ROM (SMD = −1.99 [CI −3.86, −0.12]). Patients who performed exercise alone showed a higher effect of improvement in subjective function (SMD = 3.15 [2.06, 4.24]) and pain (SMD = 4.13 [1.86, 6.41]). Based on these results, an AC rehabilitation exercise program should be developed by adjusting the amount of exercise and joint mobilization by identifying the patient’s needs, subjective symptoms, and ROM.