RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Simple Home Program for Frozen Shoulder to Improve Patients' Assessment of Shoulder Function and Health Status
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 270
OP 277
DO 10.3122/jabfm.12.4.270
VO 12
IS 4
A1 John W O'Kane
A1 Sarah Jackins
A1 John A. Sidles
A1 Kevin L. Smith
A1 Frederick A. Matsen III
YR 1999
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/12/4/270.abstract
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.