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GONG'S MOBILIZATION COMPARED WITH THREE-DIRECTIONAL CAPSULAR STRETCHING FOR PAIN, SHOULDER MOVEMENT AND FUNCTION IN STAGE II ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS
Abstract
Background: In frozen shoulder, fibrosis and adhesion of the joint capsule produce pain, stiffness and a steadily worsening loss of movement. Two manual approaches are widely used: Gong's mobilization, which works at the end of the available range, and capsular stretching applied in three directions. Few studies have compared them directly. Aim: To compare Gong's mobilization with three-directional capsular stretching for pain, range of motion and functional mobility of the shoulder in adhesive capsulitis. Methodology: Seventy patients with stage II adhesive capsulitis took part in this experimental study and were divided by odd–even allocation into two equal groups. Group A was treated with Gong's mobilization and Group B with three-directional capsular stretching; both groups also did the same conventional exercises, for 12 sessions spread over 3 weeks. Outcomes were pain on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, goniometric range of motion and the Constant–Murley Score. Results: Every outcome improved significantly within both groups (p < 0.001). Mean pain fell from 5.14 to 1.54 in Group A and from 5.26 to 2.31 in Group B, and the Constant–Murley Score rose from 51.49 to 70.66 and from 50.63 to 57.37, respectively. Group A gained significantly more than Group B in pain relief, flexion, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation and function. Conclusion: Each technique helped patients with stage II adhesive capsulitis, but Gong's mobilization gave the larger gains in pain, movement and function.
Keywords
Adhesive capsulitis; Gong mobilization; Three directional capsular stretching; Pain; Range of motion; Functional mobility; Constant Murley Score; Physiotherapy
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