Comparative Analysis of Mulligan and Maitland Mobilizations Techniques in Adhesive Capsulitis

NCT ID: NCT06927115

Last Updated: 2026-01-02

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 42 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-15
• Study Completion Date: 2026-01-31

Brief Summary

Mobilization techniques are widely used in physiotherapy to address the pain and stiffness associated with adhesive capsulitis. Two commonly employed approaches are Mulligan's mobilization and Maitland's mobilization, both of which aim to restore joint mobility and improve functional outcomes. However, the relative effectiveness of these techniques in improving disability and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis has not been conclusively established. This study will help to find out the best mobilization option for adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder for all four stages of adhesive capsulitis.

Detailed Description

Adhesive capsulitis is a condition characterized by pain, loss of both active and passive range motion of the shoulder joint in all planes especially abduction and external rotation. In general population the prevalence of adhesive capsulitis is 2-5% and its incidence is 2%.The prevalence of adhesive capsulitis in diabetic patient is 11- 30% while in non-diabetic is 2-10%.Adhesive capsulitis is more common in women aged between 40-60 years (12). Adhesive capsulitis is bilateral in 20-30 % of cases and the opponent shoulder become involved within five years Based on etiology Adhesive capsulitis is classified into primary or true frozen shoulder and secondary, in primary adhesive capsulitis there is global capsular inflammation without any known cause or pre-existing condition while secondary adhesive capsulitis is associated with any recognized systemic, intrinsic or extrinsic cause. The systemic causes of secondary adhesive capsulitis comprise thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus and decreased level of adrenaline. The intrinsic cause of secondary adhesive capsulitis is rotator cuff disease andcalcification of tendon or tendonitis. The extrinsic causes of secondary adhesive capsulitis include breast surgery in women, post trauma, clavicle or humerus fracture and early history of cerebral vascular accident

Conditions

Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Maitland Mobilization

This group will be treated with Maitland mobilization with 30 repetition and 3 set in each repetition 3 time a week for 4 weeks along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Maitland Mobilization

Intervention Type: OTHER

Provide maitland mobilization technique along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise to each subject.

Mulligan Mobilization

This group will be treated with Maitland mobilization of the shoulder joint with 30 repetition and 3 set in each repetition 3 time a week for 4 weeks along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Mulligan Mobilization

Intervention Type: OTHER

Provide mulligan mobilization technique along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise to each subject.

Interventions

Maitland Mobilization

Provide maitland mobilization technique along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise to each subject.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Mulligan Mobilization

Provide mulligan mobilization technique along with conventional exercises like Monkey bar, towel stretching, and codmen exercise to each subject.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 35-50 years.
• Diagnosed case of primary adhesive capsulitis.
• Pain and limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. (External rotation>abduction>internal rotation)
• Willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous shoulder surgery.
• Severe osteoporosis or fractures.
• Neurological or rheumatological conditions.
• Neck and cardiac surgery
• History of recent fractures

• Minimum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Riphah international University Malakand Campus

Chakdara, KPK, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT

Role: CONTACT

zavata.afnan@riphah.edu.pk

03434411214

Facility Contacts

Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT

Role: primary

Zavata.afnan@riphah.edu.pk

03434411214

Other Identifiers

REC-01005 Rafi Ullah

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id