Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Effects of Injection Combined With Spencer Technique on Painful Frozen Shoulder
Sponsor: Zichao Zhang
Summary
\### What is this study about? This study compared whether adding the \*\*Spencer muscle energy technique (MET)\*\* versus conventional rehabilitation, following identical ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid-hyaluronate injection, improves shoulder outcomes for patients with painful-phase frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). \### Why does it matter? Frozen shoulder causes shoulder pain and marked loss of range of motion, greatly impairing daily function and quality of life. The painful "freezing" phase is dominated by inflammation and pain-driven muscle guarding. Intra-articular injection can deliver short-term pain relief but cannot mechanically stretch contracted joint capsules; it therefore works best as a platform for subsequent rehabilitation. Although the Spencer muscle energy technique is widely used clinically for frozen-shoulder rehabilitation, prior trials often combined it with variable injection protocols and lacked direct comparison against standard rehabilitation. It remained unclear whether any observed benefits came from the injection itself or from the manual therapy technique. This trial fixed the injection and pain neuroscience education for both groups, isolating the effect of the manual therapy approach. \### What did the researchers do? Patients with unilateral painful-phase primary frozen shoulder were randomised into two groups. All participants received one ultrasound-guided glenohumeral and subacromial bursa injection (corticosteroid, hyaluronate, ropivacaine and normal saline), plus standardised pain neuroscience education. * \*\*Spencer group (n=33):\*\* 8-week programme of Spencer muscle energy technique * \*\*Control group (n=31):\*\* 8-week conventional rehabilitation (joint mobilisation, manual therapy and stretching) * Outcomes were assessed at \*\*baseline, 8-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 24-week follow-up\*\* * Primary outcome: shoulder function measured by the Constant-Murley score * Secondary measures: pain (NRS), kinesiophobia (TSK-17), mental quality-of-life (SF-36 MCS), active shoulder range of motion, and ultrasound thickness of the coracohumeral ligament and inferior glenohumeral capsule * Outcome assessors and data analysts were blinded to group allocation; safety and adverse events were monitored throughout the trial.
Official title: The Short- and Long-term Effects of Joint Cavity Injection Combined With Spencer Technique on Shoulder Function and Pain in Frozen Shoulder During the Pain Stage
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 70 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
64
Start Date
2025-06-03
Completion Date
2026-10-26
Last Updated
2026-10-19
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Ultrasound-guided injection of sodium hyaluronate, ropivacaine hydrochloride, and compound betamethasone
All participants received a single ultrasound-guided injection administered by the same qualified rehabilitation physician after baseline assessment. The injectate comprised 10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, sodium hyaluronate injection (25 mg; ARTZDispo), ropivacaine hydrochloride (100 mg; Naropin), and compound betamethasone injection (7 mg; Diprospan), with a total volume of 20 mL. Of this volume, 15 mL was injected into the glenohumeral joint and 5 mL into the subacromial bursa. No repeat injections were administered. Both groups received the same pain neuroscience education and completed an 8-week treatment period, with follow-up through 24 weeks.
spencer
The technique comprises a sequence of specific positioning, gentle voluntary isometric contraction, and post-isometric relaxation applied to the shoulder in a defined order, aimed at lengthening shortened muscle and fascia, normalizing joint range, and reducing muscle spasm. Treatment frequency and duration followed the standardized operating protocol of the department.
conventional rehabilitation
participants received standardized physiotherapist-led conventional rehabilitation with the same schedule as the intervention group, including: (1) conventional manual therapy: soft-tissue massage and trigger-point release for perishoulder muscle spasm; (2) Maitland-grade glenohumeral joint mobilization (traction, glides) to enhance capsular mobility; (3) static stretching exercises of shoulder girdle muscles to lengthen tight soft tissues and preserve range of motion. All subjects received identical ultrasound-guided injection and pain neuroscience education.
Locations (1)
Qingdao Municipal Hospital
Qingdao, Shandong, China