Actively Recruiting
Adhesive Capsulitis: Prospective Analysis of Efficacy and Financial Impact for Use of Physical Therapy in Treatment
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2025-10-27
260
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
682 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to identify individuals 18 or older who have diagnostic presentation of adhesive capsulitis and randomize them into two arms, distinguished by use of physical therapy and steroid injections compared with steroid injections followed by watchful waiting. This prospective study will be used to determine whether there is a significant impact on patient outcome and whether the additional financial burden is justified. There are no experimental interventions for this study. The use of physical therapy, oral and parenteral corticosteroids, and watchful waiting are offered following the standard of care for adhesive capsulitis. Our hypothesis is that patients will not have a significant difference in outcome between the two study arms. One group will undergo regular physical therapy with corticosteroid injections (Arm 1) and the other will have steroid injections during the inflammatory phase only and then be regularly observed (Arm 2). We also hypothesize there will be a significant financial burden associated with the PT arm that is not justified with the possibility of increased symptom reports in that arm.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Adhesive Capsulitis: Prospective Analysis of Efficacy and Financial Impact for Use of Physical Therapy in Treatment
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patient must be 18 years or older
- Must have adhesive capsulitis as defined by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, characterized by pain and limited shoulder motion due to capsular scar tissue
- Must be willing to be randomized into either treatment group
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-English speaking patients
- Pregnant women
- Patients who have previously had surgery for adhesive capsulitis
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
MGH, Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Scott D Martin, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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