Effects of Intervention Program for Frozen Shoulder Patients in Erbil City: A Comparison Study

Parween Askandar Hamza; Dara Abdulla Al-Banna

doi:10.15218/ejnm.2026.10

Authors

Parween Askandar Hamza Department of physiotherapy, Erbil Health and Medical Technical College, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Dara Abdulla Al-Banna Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15218/ejnm.2026.10

Keywords:

Frozen shoulder, Multi-technique intervention program, Shortwave diathermy, Glenohumeral mobilization, Exercises

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Frozen shoulder is a painful inflammatory disorder characterized by progressive loss of shoulder mobility, most common in women aged 40–60 years. It may occur primarily, often associated with diabetes or thyroid disease, or secondarily following trauma or immobilization and typically progresses through painful, frozen, and thawing stages over a period of up to two years. This study evaluated the effect of a multi-technique intervention on shoulder Range of Motion in female patients treated at public hospitals.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 134 female patients aged over 30 years in the frozen phase of the condition. Participants were assigned based on matching criteria and availability to four groups. The three experimental groups received a multi-technique physiotherapy intervention, defined as the combination of shortwave diathermy, a specific glenohumeral joint mobilization technique, and prescribed home-based therapeutic exercises. Group A (n=30) received posterior mobilization; Group B (n=30) received anterior mobilization; and Group C (n=30) received inferior mobilization. Group D, the control group (n=34), received shortwave diathermy with home exercises only. Treatments were administered three times per week for three weeks. ROM—including flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation—was measured before and after the intervention using a universal goniometer.

Results: All experimental groups showed significant ROM improvement (P-value <0.001). Posterior glide achieved the largest gain in external rotation (20.53° to 73.97°), anterior glide maximized flexion improvement (78.03° to 122.83°), and inferior glide enhanced both flexion and abduction. The control group improved modestly in flexion and abduction only (P-value <0.05).

Conclusion: The multi-technique program significantly improved shoulder ROM, with each mobilization showing specific benefits; posterior glide achieved the greatest gains.

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