Gong Mobilization Versus Spencer Technique for Diabetic Frozen Shoulder

NCT07258368 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/ Afshan Batool 02212
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the comparative effect of spencer technique and gong mobilization on pain, range of motion and functional disability among diabetic frozen shoulder patients.

Conditions

Frozen Shoulder

Keywords

Diabetic; Spencer technique; Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

  It is a self-reported questionnaire designed to measure pain and functional disability in individuals with shoulder conditions, such as frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injuries. It consists of two subscales: pain and disability, providing a comprehensive assessment of shoulder function.

  3 weeks

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  The NPRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale which is used to assess pain. It scores ranges from 0-10, 0 means No pain and 10 means Severe pain. Patient will be asked to verbally report the pain score.

  3 weeks

• Goniometer for range of motion

  A goniometer is a standard clinical tool for objectively measuring joint range of motion (ROM). It demonstrates high validity, correlating strongly (r \> 0.90) with advanced motion analysis systems. Its reliability is also excellent, with high intra-rater (ICC \> 0.90) and inter-rater (ICC 0.85-0.99) scores. This makes it a dependable instrument for both assessing patients and guiding treatment in rehabilitation and research.

  3 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

The Spencer Technique is an osteopathic shoulder mobilization performed with the patient lying on the unaffected side and the therapist stabilizing the scapula while moving the humerus. It consists of a sequence of seven articulatory steps: shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with traction, abduction with internal rotation, internal rotation (hand behind back), and abduction with external rotation. Each movement is performed rhythmically at the end range to stretch the joint capsule, improve mobility, and reduce pain (Frequency: Over the course of 3 days, the exercise was repeated 3 times per session). Conventional PT: Hot pack = 15 mins, Home Plan: Pendulum Stretch, Cross-Body Arm Reach, Towel Stretch, Finger Walk (Wall Climb), External Rotation Stretch, Shoulder Blade Squeeze, Overhead Shoulder Stretch.

Other: Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment

Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

The shoulder joint was turned upward as the patient was positioned in a side-lying posture. The patient had a 90-degree abduction of the shoulder to keep the humerus upright, and the elbow was 90 degrees flexed. Now the therapist held one hand of the patient to apply pressure to the humeral head from anterior to posterior while maintaining the position of the elbow at 90 degrees. The therapist then raised their own body while softly pushing on the shoulder joint's articular capsule. To retain the humerus' vertical axis, they achieved this while keeping shoulder abduction and elbow flexion at 90 degrees. The procedure was finished in about two to three minutes, and the articular capsule was gently squeezed for 10-15 seconds, and then relaxed for five seconds. After slightly stretching the capsule, the therapist applied gentle pressure with one hand on the shoulder joint from anterior to posterior. Maitland grades 3,4 then performed and then grade 4 approach for stretching for secs.

Other: Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment

Interventions

Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment OTHER

The shoulder joint was turned upward as the patient was positioned in a side-lying posture. The patient had a 90-degree abduction of the shoulder to keep the humerus upright, and the elbow was 90 degrees flexed. Now the therapist held one hand of the patient to apply pressure to the humeral head from anterior to posterior while maintaining the position of the elbow at 90 degrees. The therapist then raised their own body while softly pushing on the shoulder joint's articular capsule. To retain the humerus' vertical axis, they achieved this while keeping shoulder abduction and elbow flexion at 90 degrees. The procedure was finished in about two to three minutes, and the articular capsule was gently squeezed for 10-15 seconds, and then relaxed for five seconds. After slightly stretching the capsule, the therapist applied gentle pressure with one hand on the shoulder joint from anterior to posterior. Maitland grades 3,4 then performed and then grade 4 approach for stretching for secs.

Gong Mobilization + Conventional Treatment

Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment OTHER

The Spencer Technique is an osteopathic shoulder mobilization performed with the patient lying on the unaffected side and the therapist stabilizing the scapula while moving the humerus. It consists of a sequence of seven articulatory steps: shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with traction, abduction with internal rotation, internal rotation (hand behind back), and abduction with external rotation. Each movement is performed rhythmically at the end range to stretch the joint capsule, improve mobility, and reduce pain (Frequency: Over the course of 3 days, the exercise was repeated 3 times per session). Conventional PT: Hot pack = 15 mins, Home Plan: Pendulum Stretch, Cross-Body Arm Reach, Towel Stretch, Finger Walk (Wall Climb), External Rotation Stretch, Shoulder Blade Squeeze, Overhead Shoulder Stretch.

Spencer Technique + Conventional Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% will be included.
• Patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder stage II, will be included.

You may not qualify if:

• Receiving other clinical trials that could interfere with the outcomes of this study.
• Subject with recent history of surgery on affected shoulder
• Subject with history of any trauma/fracture around shoulder complex
• Subject with rotator cuff lesion and tendon calcification.
• Patients contraindicated to joint mobilization

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

HBS General Hospital

Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bursitis; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Maria khalid, MSOMPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 25, 2025
• First Posted: December 2, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 2, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)