Effects of Gong’s Mobilization Versus Spencer Technique On ADLs and Pain in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Abstract
Background: Adhesive capsulitis is a painful and disabling shoulder disorder characterized by progressive restriction of active and passive glenohumeral motion, pain, stiffness, and difficulty performing activities of daily living. Manual therapy is commonly used in physiotherapy management, but comparative evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of Gong’s mobilization and the Spencer technique remains limited. Objective: To compare the effects of Gong’s mobilization and the Spencer technique on pain intensity, shoulder-related disability, and upper-extremity functional performance in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 126 participants with adhesive capsulitis who were allocated equally into two groups. The Gong’s mobilization group received corrective gliding, distraction, oscillatory mobilization, and sustained stretching, while the Spencer technique group received a standardized sequential shoulder mobilization protocol. Both groups received the same baseline physiotherapy treatment. Outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and Upper Extremity Functional Index. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, with significance set at p < .05. Results: Gong’s mobilization produced significantly better post-treatment outcomes than the Spencer technique. NPRS scores were lower in the Gong’s mobilization group than in the Spencer technique group (3.56 ± 1.31 vs 4.34 ± 1.39; mean difference -0.78; 95% CI -1.26 to -0.30; p = .001). SPADI total scores were also lower (324.60 ± 85.55 vs 470.16 ± 77.48; mean difference -145.56; 95% CI -174.35 to -116.77; p < .001), while UEFI scores were higher (105.67 ± 17.53 vs 89.06 ± 12.01; mean difference 16.61; 95% CI 11.31 to 21.91; p < .001). Conclusion: Gong’s mobilization was more effective than the Spencer technique in reducing pain and shoulder-related disability and improving upper-extremity functional performance among patients with adhesive capsulitis.
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