Gong Mobilization Versus Spencer Technique for Diabetic Frozen Shoulder

Riphah International University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Frozen Shoulder

Treatments: Other: Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment; Other: Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07258368

REC/ Afshan Batool 02212

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the comparative effect of spencer technique and gong mobilization on pain, range of motion and functional disability among diabetic frozen shoulder patients.

Full description

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by progressive pain, stiffness, and significant restriction of both active and passive range of motion in the shoulder joint. The condition typically progresses through three stages: the painful or freezing stage, marked by increasing pain and stiffness; the frozen or adhesive stage, where pain may subside but stiffness persists; and the thawing stage, during which mobility gradually improves. Risk factors include age, gender (more common in women), trauma, prolonged immobilization, and systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Studies suggest Gong mobilization may offer superior ROM gains, while the Spencer technique provides significant long-term benefits, especially when combined with conventional therapy. Treatment effectiveness can vary, indicating a need for approaches tailored to individual patient factors and condition stage. This is particularly relevant for diabetic patients, who often experience slower, more complex recoveries.

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% will be included.
• Patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder stage II, will be included.

Exclusion criteria

• Receiving other clinical trials that could interfere with the outcomes of this study.
• Subject with recent history of surgery on affected shoulder
• Subject with history of any trauma/fracture around shoulder complex
• Subject with rotator cuff lesion and tendon calcification.
• Patients contraindicated to joint mobilization

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

The Spencer Technique is an osteopathic shoulder mobilization performed with the patient lying on the unaffected side and the therapist stabilizing the scapula while moving the humerus. It consists of a sequence of seven articulatory steps: shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with traction, abduction with internal rotation, internal rotation (hand behind back), and abduction with external rotation. Each movement is performed rhythmically at the end range to stretch the joint capsule, improve mobility, and reduce pain (Frequency: Over the course of 3 days, the exercise was repeated 3 times per session). Conventional PT: Hot pack = 15 mins, Home Plan: Pendulum Stretch, Cross-Body Arm Reach, Towel Stretch, Finger Walk (Wall Climb), External Rotation Stretch, Shoulder Blade Squeeze, Overhead Shoulder Stretch.

Treatment:

Other: Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment

Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

The shoulder joint was turned upward as the patient was positioned in a side-lying posture. The patient had a 90-degree abduction of the shoulder to keep the humerus upright, and the elbow was 90 degrees flexed. Now the therapist held one hand of the patient to apply pressure to the humeral head from anterior to posterior while maintaining the position of the elbow at 90 degrees. The therapist then raised their own body while softly pushing on the shoulder joint's articular capsule. To retain the humerus' vertical axis, they achieved this while keeping shoulder abduction and elbow flexion at 90 degrees. The procedure was finished in about two to three minutes, and the articular capsule was gently squeezed for 10-15 seconds, and then relaxed for five seconds. After slightly stretching the capsule, the therapist applied gentle pressure with one hand on the shoulder joint from anterior to posterior. Maitland grades 3,4 then performed and then grade 4 approach for stretching for secs.

Treatment:

Other: Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment