Impact of TECAR Therapy on Pain and Function in Adhesive Capsulitis:

Ankara City Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Adhesive Capsulitis

Treatments: Other: Hot Pack; Device: TECAR Therapy; Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program; Device: TENS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06784128

E2-23-3840

ANKARA BILKENT CITY HOSPITAL (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) therapy is a heat therapy method that increases blood circulation at the microscopic level by generating heat in the upper and lower layers of your tissues, reduces inflammation and supports tissue regeneration. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether this treatment reduces pain and improves functioning in patients with frozen shoulder disease.

Full description

Adhesive capsulitis (AC), commonly known as "frozen shoulder," is a prevalent and painful condition resulting from the contracture of the glenohumeral capsule, which significantly impacts individuals' quality of life. While AC is self-limiting in many cases, some patients may experience long-term functional limitations if not treated promptly. One promising intervention is transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy, which has gained attention for its potential to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve pain management by generating heat in superficial and deep tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TECAR therapy on pain and functional outcomes in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC).

This prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial included 60 patients [TECAR group: 30, (50.37 ± 13.90 years); control group: 30, (55.27 ± 10.44 years)]. Both groups completed a 2-week tailored therapeutic exercise program, with 30-minute hot pack application and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The TECAR group also received three TECAR therapy sessions per week, for a total of six sessions. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional status with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and supraspinatus tendon thickness and bicipital effusion were assessed via ultrasonography. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, 1 and 3 months post-treatment.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 67 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who were than 18 years of age
• Patients with unilateral shoulder pain of at least 3 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS);
• Patients who experienced a more than 50% loss of passive ROM (abduction or external rotation) in the glenohumeral joint relative to the unaffected side
• Patients who had been experiencing the related symptoms for ≥ 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who had previous shoulder surgery
• Patients who had shoulder injection within the last 3 months
• Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease,
• Patients with cervical radiculopathy
• Pregnant patients
• Pateints with thyroid disease
• Patients with malignancy,
• Patients who had history of cardiac pacemakers,
• Patients with epilepsy
• Patients who had neurological disease with or without cognitive impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

TENS combined with therapeutic exercise and hot pack (Control Group)

Active Comparator group

Description:

TENS was employed as a non-invasive pain management technique in this study, utilizing the Intellect Advanced device manufactured by Chattanooga Group. Electrodes were strategically placed over the affected shoulder, ensuring coverage of the most painful areas as well as relevant nerve pathways to maximize the analgesic effect. A symmetric biphasic waveform was selected, with a frequency of 100 Hz and a pulse duration of 100 microseconds. The intensity of the stimulation was adjusted according to the patient's tolerance, typically aiming for a strong, yet comfortable tingling sensation.

Treatment:

Device: TENS

Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program

Other: Hot Pack

TECAR combined with TENS and therapeutic exercise and hot pack (TECAR Group)

Experimental group

Description:

In the experimental group, in addition to conventional TENS and hotpack, TECAR therapy was also applied three times per week for a total of six sessions. TECAR therapy was administered using the BTL-6000 TR-Therapy PRO device by an experienced physiotherapist.The device emitted energy at a frequency of approximately 500 kHz and used three types of electrodes: active, neutral, and static application electrodes. The active electrodes were of two types, capacitive and resistive, and were applied directly during treatment. The neutral electrode functioned as a reference and was positioned beneath the patient's body, close to the treatment site. Each patient was seated in a comfortable position with the affected shoulder exposed, ensuring adequate support and stability throughout the treatment session. Each session lasted approximately 15 minutes.

Treatment:

Device: TENS

Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program

Device: TECAR Therapy

Other: Hot Pack