Simple Home Program for Frozen Shoulder to Improve Patients' Assessment of Shoulder Function and Health Status

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that a simple home program can improve the self-assessed shoulder function and health status of a group of patients with frozen shoulders.

Methods: A case series using a one-group pretest, posttest design analyzing 41 patients from a single orthopedic practice who had a frozen shoulder were included in this study. The patients completed the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionniare at the time of initial consultation, had treatment consisting of education regarding frozen shoulder and home stretching instructions, and were asked to complete the same questionnaires mailed every 6 months. Initial results were compared with previously published control values to establish level of impairment, and follow-up results were compared with the initial results to determine the extent of improvement.

Results: Patients initially had serious deficits in the 12 shoulder functions inventoried by the SST and were also compromised in their general health status as reflected by the SF-36 scores. At follow-up, 4 of 10 SST functions were improved (P < 0.001). The SF-36 health status scores of physical function, comfort, and physical role function were also improved (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: These data suggest that this home program for frozen shoulder can lead to improved self-assessed shoulder function and health status in patients similar to those in the study population.