The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients with adhesive capsulitis were divided into an experimental group (n=15) that would be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a control group (n=15) that would be treated only with conservative physical therapy. Both groups were treated three times a week over a four-week period. [Results] An intra-group comparison before and after the treatment showed that both groups experienced a decline in pain and an increase in their range of motion that were statistically significant. An inter-group comparison after the treatment showed that the experimental group had a lower level of pain and a higher range of motion than the control group that were statistically significant. [Conclusion] Extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be an effective intervention for reducing pain and improving the range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.