Shock wave therapy for the treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a treatment intervention for chronic adhesive capsulitis: a mixed methods pilot study.
IRAS ID
337387
Contact name
Crystal Reno
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Adhesive capsulitis (AC), also known as frozen shoulder, is a debilitating condition that causes pain and difficulty of moving the shoulder joint. Physiotherapy treatment is often first line treatment management. Patients with failed conservative management are commonly referred to a specialist consultant for further treatment. Over the last 20 years, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has gained popularity as a non-surgical treatment to treat persistent muscle and tendon conditions as it is non-invasive and result in good outcomes with minimal side effects.
There is limited information for the use of ESWT to treat frozen shoulder. The current research has mixed treatment procedures, nonetheless, report positive outcomes. Due to the varied treatment practice, this study proposes to explore and identify appropriate anatomical treatment locations around the shoulder in addition to the ESWT manufacture guidelines with the opinion of upper limb clinical experts within the UK, and to test the practicality of using ESWT to treat frozen shoulder in the NHS healthcare setting.
The study will first run a survey, called a Delphi study, to explore expert opinion from upper limb healthcare specialists in the UK to establish an anatomical treatment location to be used in the ESWT Swiss Dolorclast Manufacturers Guideline treatment protocol to treat frozen shoulder. The study will then apply the findings from the Delphi Study using the agreed anatomical treatment locations in a trial, and record follow-up information that measures shoulder joint movement, pain, disability, function, and health-related quality of life. The information recorded will be examined, and the data collected will be used to create interview questions. Participants will be invited at the start of the study to take part in an interview following ESWT treatment. This is to help the researchers learn about public perception of ESWT.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
24/SS/0071
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion