Sep 16, 2025
Effectiveness of PNF and Rotator Cuff Strengthening exercise for person of adhesive capsulitis
- Naim Asrafi1,
- Ehsanur Rahman1
- 1Jashore University of Science and Technology
Protocol Citation: Naim Asrafi, Ehsanur Rahman 2025. Effectiveness of PNF and Rotator Cuff Strengthening exercise for person of adhesive capsulitis. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.q26g79q93vwz/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: June 25, 2025
Last Modified: September 16, 2025
Protocol Integer ID: 220979
Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis, Frozen shoulder, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Capsular stretching, Rotator cuff strengthening, Shoulder pain and disability index, Physiotherapy, Non-randomized trial., adhesive capsulitis in clinical practice, managing adhesive capsulitis, adhesive capsulitis this protocol, adhesive capsulitis, enhanced rotator cuff strength, improved shoulder range of motion, rotator cuff strength, improved shoulder range, strengthening exercise, rotator cuff, capsular stretching, multimodal physiotherapy approach, combining proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, exercises for individual, effectiveness of pnf, exercise for person
Funders Acknowledgements:
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Grant ID: Jashore University of Science and Technology
Abstract
This protocol describes a multimodal physiotherapy approach combining Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), capsular stretching, and rotator cuff strengthening exercises for individuals with adhesive capsulitis, evaluated through a pre-test post-test non-randomized trial. The intervention is administered over six weeks with outcome measures including NPRS, goniometer-based ROM, SPADI, and MMT.
The expected results are significant reductions in pain, improved shoulder range of motion, enhanced rotator cuff strength, and better functional performance. These findings may support integrated therapeutic strategies for managing adhesive capsulitis in clinical practice.
Guidelines
Participants will be recruited based on clinical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis with informed consent obtained before starting. Baseline assessments (NPRS, ROM, SPADI, MMT) must be completed, and interventions applied under supervision with safety precautions to avoid pain or injury. The study will follow standardized exercise protocols over six weeks, ensuring consistency and documentation. Ethical approval, confidentiality, and participants’ right to withdraw will be strictly maintained in line with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Materials
1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain;
2. Goniometer for AROM/PROM measure;
3. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPDI) for functional activities;
4. Hand-held dynamometer (Manual Muscle Testing for rotator cuff strength).
Troubleshooting
Protocol references
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2. Hsu, J. E., Anakwenze, O. A., Warrender, W. J., & Abboud, J. A. (2011). Current review of adhesive capsulitis. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 20(3), 502-514.
3. Rauoof, M. A., Lone, N. A., Bhat, B. A., & Habib, S. (2004). Etiological factors and clinical profile of adhesive capsulitis in patients seen at the rheumatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital in India. Saudi medical journal, 25(3), 359-362.
4. Lin, H. C., Li, J. S., Lo, S. F., Shih, Y. F., Lo, C. Y., & Chen, S. Y. (2009). Isokinetic characteristics of shoulder rotators in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 41(7), 563-568.
5. Page, R. S., McGee, S. L., Eng, K., Brown, G., Beattie, S., Collier, F., & Gill, S. D. (2019). Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: protocol for the adhesive capsulitis biomarker (AdCaB) study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 20, 1-6.
6. Balcı, N. C., Yuruk, Z. O., Zeybek, A., Gulsen, M., & Tekindal, M. A. (2016). Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(4), 1219-1227.
7. Khan, A. H., Bhuiyan, M. S. H., Kabir, M. F., Hossain, M. Z., Jahan, S., Hossain, K. A., & Rahman, E. (2025). Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern on upper extremity and scapula in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a single-centre assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT). Trials, 26(1), 146.
8. Rawat, P., Eapen, C., & Seema, K. P. (2017). Effect of rotator cuff strengthening as an adjunct to standard care in subjects with adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Hand Therapy, 30(3), 235-241.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) for partially funding this study. We also thank the faculty members, clinical staff, and all participants whose support and cooperation were essential to the successful execution of this research.