AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF THORACIC SPINE MANIPULATION ON PAIN, RANGE OF MOTION, MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH FROZEN SHOULDER SYNDROME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63001/tbs.2026.v21.i02.S.I(2).pp21955-21972Keywords:
Frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, thoracic, spine manipulation, regional interdependence, DASH,, range of motion.Abstract
Background: Frozen shoulder (also called adhesive capsulitis) is a common musculoskeletal condition
characterized by a gradual onset of pain and capsular restriction of shoulder movements. The mechanics of the
glenohumeral is also affected by thoracic spine mobility, so thoracic spine manipulation is suggested to be a
helpful adjunct to standard exercise therapy.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of thoracic spine manipulation combined with exercise versus exercise alone
on pain shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and functional disability in patients with frozen shoulder
syndrome
Methods: Sixty patients with clinically diagnosed adhesive capsulitis were randomly selected by chit method
into Group A (thoracic spine manipulation + exercises,n= 30) and Group B (exercises alone, n=30) for 6
weeks. VAS, DASH, goniometric ROM and MMT were recorded at baseline, 3rd week and 6 th week.
Results: Both groups were significantly improved within group (p<0.001) but Group A showed significantly
greater improvement than Group B in between group comparison across pain, DASH, flexion ROM and
flexion MMT from the 3rd week onwards (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Thoracic spine manipulation combined exercises are found to be significantly more effective than
exercises alone for improving pain, shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and functional disability in
frozen shoulder syndrome, and are recommended to be included in physiotherapy protocols.
