Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive Therapy on Shoulder Range of Motion In Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis

NCT07788287 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006279
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The current study's general aim is to compare the effectiveness of Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) therapy combined with stretching versus stretching alone in patients with adhesive capsulitis stage 2,3 on range of motion, pain, and function.

Conditions

Adhesive Capsulitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Glenohumeral External Rotation range of motion (ROM) in Adducted shoulder

  To measure external rotation range of motion (ROM) with the shoulder adducted, the patient will be positioned in supine with the upper arm positioned at the side and the elbow flexed to 90°. The examiner will passively externally rotate the glenohumeral joint until end range is reached. Range of motion will be measured by placing the axis of the goniometer on the olecranon process. The stationary arm will be aligned with the vertical position. The movable arm will be aligned with the ulnar styloid process.

  1 month

• Glenohumeral External Rotation range of motion (ROM) in Abducted shoulder

  External rotation range of motion (ROM) may also be measured with the shoulder abducted to 45° or to 90° in the frontal plane (if the patient has the available abduction ROM). The stationary arm of goniometer will be aligned with the vertical position. The movable arm will be aligned with the ulnar styloid process.

  1 month

• Glenohumeral Internal Rotation range of motion (ROM) in Abducted shoulder

  Internal rotation range of motion (ROM) will be measured while the patient is positioned in supine, the shoulder abducted to 90°, and the elbow flexed to 90°. If glenohumeral abduction is less than 90°, a 45° abduction angle can be used. The examiner passively internally rotates the glenohumeral joint until end range is reached, ensuring that there is no scapular compensation. Range of motion will be measured by placing the axis of the goniometer on the olecranon process. The stationary arm will be aligned with the vertical position. The movable arm will be aligned with the ulnar styloid process

  1 month

• Shoulder Flexion range of motion (ROM)

  To measure flexion range of motion (ROM), the patient will be positioned in supine with the arm rest at the side. The examiner will passively flex the shoulder until end range is reached (with no compensatory movements from the thorax and the lumbar spine). Range of motion will be measured by placing the axis of the goniometer on the greater tuberosity. The stationary arm will be aligned with the midline of the trunk. The movable arm will be aligned with the lateral epicondyle.

  1 month

• Shoulder Abduction range of motion (ROM)

  To measure abduction range of motion (ROM), the patient will be positioned in supine with the arm comfortably by the side. The examiner passively abducts the shoulder until end range is reached (shoulder must remain in the same plane). Range of motion will be measured by placing the axis of the goniometer on the head of the humerus. The stationary arm will be aligned parallel with the midline of the sternum. The movable arm will be aligned with the midshaft of the humerus.

  1 month

• Shoulder extension range of motion (ROM)

  To measure extension range of motion (ROM), the patient is positioned in prone position with the arm rest at the side. The examiner passively extends the shoulder until the end range is reached. Range of motion will be measured by placing the axis of the goniometer on the greater tuberosity. The stationary arm will be aligned with the midline of the trunk. The movable arm will be aligned with the lateral epicondyle.

  1 month

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Assessment of shoulder pain

  1 month

• Assessment of shoulder function

  1 month

Study Arms (2)

Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) Therapy and stretching exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants will receive transfer of energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy with stretching for limited ROM (Flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation). Patients will receive three sessions per week for 1 month.

Device: Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) Therapy; Other: Stretching exercises

Stretching exercise group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participants will receive stretching alone for limited ROM (Flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation). Patients will receive three sessions per week for 1 month.

Other: Stretching exercises

Interventions

Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) Therapy DEVICE

To apply TECAR therapy, the patient will lie supine, with the passive electrode, a flexible rectangular stainless steel plate measuring 150 £ 200 mm, placed under the affected side's scapula. A rigid circular metallic electrode with a 60-mm diameter will be used as the active electrode. Using the resistive mode with the power of 8 to 10 mA, the active electrode will be circularly moved continuously for 10 minutes on the anterior-inferior shoulder capsule while the patient's arm will be held at the end existing range of abduction and external rotation. As well, a conductive cream will be used as a coupling medium between the electrodes and the skin. Based on the manufacturer's recommendation for safe performance, the TECAR intensity will be set as the most effective method, causing no pain based on each patient's feedback.

Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) Therapy and stretching exercise group

Stretching exercises OTHER

While the patients were lying on the bed, they would receive cyclic (intermittent) stretching. Cyclic stretching is the application, release, and reapplication of a relatively short-duration stretch force repeatedly but progressively. Twenty seconds of stretching and 10 seconds of rest will be used 10 times in each of the following directions (flexion, scapular plane abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation) and stretch to target rotator cuff interval.

Stretching exercise group; Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) Therapy and stretching exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients of both genders with primary adhesive capsulitis.
• Patients aged between 40-65.
• Pain duration of three months or more.
• Range of motion loss of greater than 25% in at least 2 planes and passive external rotation loss that is greater than 50% of the uninvolved shoulder or less than 30° of external rotation.

You may not qualify if:

• Bilateral adhesive capsulitis,
• Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,
• Malignancies,
• Heart diseases
• Infections
• Coagulation disorders
• Full rotator cuff tear
• History of recent shoulder surgery
• Neurological problems involving the upper extremity
• Shoulder joint osteoarthritis
• Upper extremity fractures
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Impaired sensation
• Having a heart pacemaker
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cairo university

Cairo, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bursitis

Interventions

Therapeutics; Muscle Stretching Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Mohamed A Mohamed, As.professor

  Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Mona M Ibrahim, As.Professor

  Cairo University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Mohamed H Nasser, Master

CONTACT

01007966818; Mohamed.hemiednasser@gmail.com

Nesrin F Mahmoud, PHD

CONTACT

01127283925; Dr-nesreenfawzy@cu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 22, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 30, 2027
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

EG (1)