Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for frozen shoulder in perimenopausal diabetic women

Study aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for frozen shoulder in perimenopausal diabetic women.

Materials and methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on sixty-two perimenopausal women diagnosed with diabetic frozen shoulder. They were divided randomly into two groups. Group (A) received physiotherapy program in the form of maitland joint mobilization for shoulder joint, self-stretching exercises, range of motion exercises (ROM) and strengthening exercises. Sessions were held 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. Group (B) study group: received the same physiotherapy program in addition to ESWT, once per week, for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale was used to measure pain intensity, shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) was used to evaluate disability level, while an electrogoniometer was used to measure shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation range of motion. All measurements were recorded pretreatment and posttreatment program.

Results: For intragroup comparison, significant improvement in all treatment outcomes was noted in both groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between both groups regarding all outcome measures in case of intergroup comparison in the study (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The use of ESWT have a positive effect in reducing pain and improving shoulder range of motion in perimenopausal women suffering from frozen.