Need for including Hand Eye Coordination and Hand Function Training in the Management of Adhesive Capsulitis – A non-randomized control trial

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to identify the effect of Maitland mobilization with hand-eye coordination and hand function exercises in the prognosis of adhesive capsulitis. METHODS: This non-randomized control trial was done with 40 patients with adhesive capsulitis referred to the OPD at UCA College of Physiotherapy, Chennai. The study was performed for 8 months duration from August 2018 to March 2019. After providing a sufficient explanation of the procedure, the patients were divided into Group-A and Group-B. Group-A were allocated to Maitland group (n=20) (MG) and Group-B, were assigned to the Maitland, Hand-eye coordination and Hand Function exercises group (n=20) (MHG), respectively. We measured Quality of life using SF36 to know whether these patients had poor QOL compared to normative. Each patient underwent testing before the experiment to evaluate the range of motion of the shoulder (Abduction and External rotation) measured using a 180º goniometer, Functional Disability assessed using SPADI index. Statistical analysis was applied using SPSS version 20.0. Before the study, data normality was tested. A parametric test was used to compare pre-and post-intervention data in each Group-And also compare the MG vs. MHG. An α < 0.05 is the level of significance in all analyses. RESULTS: A total of 40 subjects accounted for the study results. Their quality of life was significantly lower from the normative values. Both groups were homogenous at baseline with no significant difference between the ROM and SPADI scores. Both groups showed a significant improvement in ER, abduction ROM and SPADI scores, however the between group posttest analysis revealed that the Group-B subjects progressed significantly better. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the Maitland mobilization and hand-eye coordination and hand function exercises are an effective tool in improving shoulder abduction, external rotation and shoulder functions.