The Effectiveness of Iontophoresis over Conventional Therapy in Relieving Pain, Improving Rom and Functional Skills in Adhesive Capsulitis

Background: Adhesive capsulitis is a common problem affecting the middle aged people. In the second stage of Adhesive capsulitis, the pain and limitation of the ROM will restrict the patients in their functional activities. Iontophoresis with Lidocaine is rarely used as an effective treatment for adhesive capsulitis in our country.

Objective: To study the effectiveness of iontophoresis with lidocaine as an adjunct to the conventional treatment for relieving pain and improving ROM and functional skills in phase II adhesive capsulitis.

Design: An experimental approach was used and study design is pre test -post test group design.

Method: Population included 30 patients with phase II adhesive capsulitis.15 patients each were taken in the experimental and control group. The control group has given the conventional treatment and the experimental group has iontophoresis in addition. Outcome measures taken for the study were shoulder pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), abduction and external rotation Range of Motion (ROM) using Goniometry and shoulder function score using Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Analyzed statistically with students't' test.

Results: It was found that iontophoresis with lidocaine along with the conventional treatment causes significant reduction of pain, improvement of abduction and external rotation Range of Motion (ROM) and improvement of shoulder function.

Implications: A follow up study could ensure the long term effectiveness of treatment given. Study can be done using other ionic medications.

Conclusions: Results of this study provide evidence that iontophoresis with lidocaine provide better results when used as an adjunct to ultrasound therapy, passive joint mobilization, exercises and home programme. There was significant reduction of pain which is one of the chief complaints in patients with phase II Adhesive capsulitis and hence should be a part of the treatment regimen for the same.