Evaluating Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Physiotherapy to Improve Pain and Function in Adults with Adhesive Capsulitis

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether adding transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation taVNS to standard physiotherapy improves pain, shoulder function, range of motion, and quality of life in adults with adhesive capsulitis, a condition characterized by shoulder pain and limited movement. The study is randomized and sham-controlled, focusing on adults aged 18 to 65 years. It investigates whether active taVNS provides greater clinical improvement than sham stimulation when combined with physiotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups one receives 15 sessions of standard physiotherapy with active taVNS for 30 minutes per session over 3 weeks, while the other receives the same physiotherapy combined with sham taVNS for the same duration and frequency. Both groups undergo identical physiotherapy programs including joint mobilization, range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and strengthening, tailored to individual pain and mobility levels. During the study, participants are assessed before treatment and after the 15th session using measures including the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index SPADI, pain intensity via Visual Analog Scale VAS, shoulder flexion range of motion, and health-related quality of life using the SF-36 survey. The study also evaluates the tolerability of the stimulation. The total participation lasts about 3 weeks with assessments conducted at baseline and immediately after treatment completion.

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Added to Physiotherapy for Adhesive Capsulitis