Assessment of the Effectiveness of Kinetic Chain Approach for Primary Adhesive Capsulitis of ShoulderAn Experimental Study

Introduction: Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis is characterised by gradual onset of pain in shoulder and its limited mobility of motion due to a thickened capsule with an unknown cause. The peak incidence rate is between the ages of 40 and 60 years with less chances of occurrence in the younger group and individuals, who engage in physical labour are far less likely to experience it. In order to determine whether the kinetic chain approach is more effective, researchers tested it on individuals with adhesive capsulitis.

Aim: To assess effectiveness of the kinetic chain approach for treating primary adhesive capsulitis.

Materials and Methods: This pre and postexperimental study was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, for a period of one year from January 2020 to December 2020. A total of 60 patients with primary adhesive capsulitis were included in the trial and were divided into Group-A and Group-B using a systematic random sampling process. Group A received traditional physiotherapy in addition to the Kinetic chain technique. In Group B, regular physiotherapy was the only treatment provided to patients. The Range of Motion (ROM), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were measured in both groups pre, mid and post-treatment groups. Non parametric statistical techniques were used to analyse the data owing its originality.

Results: A total of 30 patients in each Group (A and B) were provided with Kinetic chain approach (mean age=53.93 years) and conventional physiotherapy (mean age=55.40 years), respectively. For comparing data within the same group, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used for this. Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare the data between groups. The p-values for the VAS, SPADI, and ROM showed statistical significance at the 0.001 level. In terms of pain, functional impairment, and range of motion, with Group A showing greater strides than Group B.

Conclusion: The combination of kinetic chain technique and traditional physiotherapy was more beneficial than either group when used singularly to reduce discomfort, increase the range of motion, and enhance functional capacity in adhesive capsulitis patients.