CompletedNot Applicable

Comparison of Digital and Conventional Physical Therapy on Cost Effectiveness, Pain, and Disability in Adhesive Capsulitis

Pakistan40 participantsStarted 2025-11-03

Plain-language summary

Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by shoulder pain, progressive stiffness, and functional limitation, significantly affecting activities of daily living and quality of life. Physical therapy plays a key role in the management of adhesive capsulitis through pain reduction, restoration of range of motion, and improvement of functional capacity. With the advancement of digital health technologies, digital physical therapy interventions such as tele-rehabilitation and app-guided exercise programs have emerged as potential alternatives to conventional in-person therapy. However, evidence comparing the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of digital physical therapy with conventional physical therapy remains limited, particularly in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of digital physical therapy and conventional physical therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and cost-effectiveness among patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a digital physical therapy group, receiving supervised exercise guidance and monitoring through digital platforms, or a conventional physical therapy group receiving standard in-clinic physiotherapy interventions. Pain and disability outcomes will be assessed using validated outcome measures such as the Visual Analog Scale and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Cost-effectiveness will be evaluated by comparing treatment-related direct and indirect costs between both groups. The findings of this study will help determine whether digital physical therapy is a clinically effective and economically viable alternative to conventional physiotherapy for managing adhesive capsulitis, potentially improving accessibility to rehabilitation services.

Who can participate

Age range

35 Years – 55 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * The study included male and female participants aged 35-55 years who had received a clinical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis from an orthopedic surgeon or a physical therapist. The study accepted participants who had experienced pain for three months or longer and showed increasing difficulties with both active and passive movements, particularly during external rotation. The participants had to comprehend the DASH and NPRS questionnaires on their own and provide their responses without assistance Exclusion Criteria: * The study excluded participants who had undergone any shoulder surgery or who had experienced any traumatic incident within the past six months or had severe mental health disorders, significant cognitive impairments, systemic inflammatory or neurological conditions that affected their upper limbs, or electronic implants that would be affected by electrical treatment, and diabetes mellitus that was not under control.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Timeframe: 6 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07482111

SponsorUniversity of Lahore

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-27

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Adhesive Capsulitis trials