Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

To compare the effectiveness of antero-posterior (AP) and postero-anterior (PA) glide mobilization on external rotation range of motion (ROM) in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Patients referred to the department of physiotherapy with the diagnosis of primary adhesive capsulitis were included in the study. Subjects were from both gender groups between 35 to 70 years of age, with capsular pattern of shoulder. Total of 15 participants were included in the study by convenience sampling and were randomized to 2 treatment groups (antero-posterior i.e. AP and postero-anterior i.e. PA) by block randomization. AP group consisted of 8 subjects & PA group consisted of 7 subjects. Out of 15 subjects 10 completed the study & 5 were lost to follow up. Kaltenborn grade III mobilizations were provided to both the groups, with direction of mobilizations directed anteriorly in one group & posteriorly in the other group. Improvement in shoulder external rotation range of motion at 45° of abduction was the primary outcome measure, with secondary outcome measures as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores.

Descriptive analysis of 15 subjects using median and interquartile values revealed that there was improvement in the primary & secondary outcome measures in both the groups (AP & PA). There was no clinically significant difference between the 2 groups.

Both the glides antero-posterior (AP) and postero-anterior (PA) showed to be effective on external rotation range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.