PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - John W O'Kane AU - Sarah Jackins AU - John A. Sidles AU - Kevin L. Smith AU - Frederick A. Matsen III TI - Simple Home Program for Frozen Shoulder to Improve Patients' Assessment of Shoulder Function and Health Status AID - 10.3122/jabfm.12.4.270 DP - 1999 Jul 01 TA - The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice PG - 270--277 VI - 12 IP - 4 4099 - http://www.jabfm.org/content/12/4/270.short 4100 - http://www.jabfm.org/content/12/4/270.full SO - J Am Board Fam Med1999 Jul 01; 12 AB - 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.