Adhesive CapsulitisNCT07576127
Effects of Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
A study testing Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The randomized controlled trail aims is to evaluate the outcome of Gongs mobilization and PNF in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The significance of this study is to compare Gong's mobilization technique with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) compare their effects on pain, range of motion, and… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- What is being tested?
- Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 15 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Females in the age group between 40-60 years.
- Diagnosed with Unilateral frozen shoulder.
- Patients in frozen stage (progressive loss of ROM, marked stiffness with gradual pain reduction).
- More than 25% painful limitation of GH ROM in two planes, more than 50% in external rotation(arm at 0 degree of abduction).
Who cannot join
- History of surgery on the affected shoulder.
- Patients having any cervical or thoracic problem.
- Painful, stiff shoulder after severe trauma, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and malignancies.
- Recent fractures in and around the shoulder.
- Rotator cuff disorder.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Pakistan Railway General Hospital
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000
About this study
The randomized controlled trail aims is to evaluate the outcome of Gongs mobilization and PNF in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The significance of this study is to compare Gong's mobilization technique with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) compare their effects on pain, range of motion, and functional disability. The sample size was calculated with G-power. This study would include total 44 female participants aged 40-60 years will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Group A(Gongs mobilization+ conventional therapy)and Group B(PNF+ Conventional therapy). Intervention will be provided for 4 weeks 3 session per week. Primary outcome measures are pain, ROM and functional disability via NPRS, Goniometer and U-SPADI. Outcomes will be reassessed at baseline, after 2nd week, and after 4th week.
Read the detailed description
Adhesive capsulitis ,which is also referred as frozen shoulder is described as a progressive and self-limiting condition leading to gradual onset of pain and loss of shoulder Range of motion. It restricts both Active and Passive movements due to adhesions in Glenohumeral(GH) joint capsule. which leads to fibrosis, scarring and contracture of joint capsule. As fibrosis progresses restricting the shoulder normal Range of motion. ultimately impacting person's daily activities and frequently interfering with sleep and making basic activities like combing hair , dressing and overhead activities difficult.
Gong's Mobilization(GM) serves as an effective technique in the treatment of Frozen shoulder, it was introduced by W. Gong, the mainstay of this mobilization is to correct the positional fault of the humeral head that is often medially rotated and dragged forward due to muscular tension of Subscapularis and Pectoralis Major along with the tightness of posterior capsule. Gong mobilization intends to keep the humeral head in its correct position during dynamic motion of the GH joint by keeping the affected scapula in anterior to posterior position and the humeral head in posterior to anterior direction at the same time. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch is a technique commonly used in clinical environments to enhance both active and passive range of motion (ROM), with the ultimate goal of optimizing motor performance and rehabilitation
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Being tested
- Gongs Mobilization, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
- Keywords
- Pain, ROM, Functional Disability, Gongs Mobilization, PNF
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Gongs MobilizationBehavioural
Glenohumeral mobilization (GM) will be performed in a side-lying position with the therapist standing on the affected side. An anterior-to-posterior glide will be applied to the humeral head parallel to the joint plane while the opposite hand stabilizes the scapula from posterior to anterior. The patient will perform quick shoulder abduction movements with the elbow extended as the therapist applies Maitland's Grade III-IV oscillatory glides, maintaining slight joint distraction and following the motion through the abduction phase. Each session will include two sets of five repetitions with a five-minute rest between sets, for a total of twelve sessions
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationBehavioural
The therapist will use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques specifically employing the hold-relax method followed by the D2 pattern of flexion-extension movement. Each session will last 15 minutes, comprising 10 sets of PNF. Each set will include 5 repetitions, with a 5-second hold and a 2-second rest between repetitions. This protocol will be administered over 12 sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Gongs Mobilization | Experimental | Gongs Mobilization + conventional Therapy Receives: Behavioral: Gongs Mobilization; Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation |
| Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation | Experimental | PNF + conventional Therapy Receives: Behavioral: Gongs Mobilization; Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Numeric pain rating scale is Subjective Assessment Tool used to assess level of discomfort patients are experiencing. It is eleven-point scale (0-10).whereas 0 indicates(no pain at all) and 10 indicates(worst imaginable pain).
Measured: 4 weeks
Goniometer
Universal goniometer is used to assess active and passive Range of motion
Measured: 4 weeks
Shoulder pain and Disability Index Urdu version(SPADI-U)
SPADI-U was Created to assess degree of pain and discomfort in carrying out activities of daily living by patients without any assistance. In the recent version 11-Point Numeric pain rating scale is used to rate each item. It has total 13 items, 5-items for evaluating pain and 8-items for disability.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 May 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion5 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Adhesive CapsulitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Fatima Miraj, DPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576127
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/02277 Fatima
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 4 May 2026
- Last updated
- 8 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Kim DH. Outcome Measurement in Shoulder Diseases: Focus on Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Ann Rehabil Med. 2023 Oct;47(5):315-317. doi: 10.5535/arm.23130. Epub 2023 Oct 25. No abstract available.
PubMed 37907222Khan AH, Bhuiyan MSH, Kabir MF, Hossain MZ, Jahan S, Hossain KMA, Rahman E. Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern on upper extremity and scapula in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a single-centre assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT). Trials. 2025 May 3;26(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-08848-0.
PubMed 40317031Fernandes MR. Adhesive capsulitis: current concepts. Musculoskelet Surg. 2026 Mar;110(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s12306-025-00897-7. Epub 2025 Mar 17.
PubMed 40095380Amjad F, Asghar H. Comparative effects of gong's mobilization and mobilization with movement in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 4;15(1):4272. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-88422-5.
PubMed 39905175
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576127
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/02277 Fatima
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Keywords
- Pain, ROM, Functional Disability, Gongs Mobilization, PNF
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The randomized controlled trail aims is to evaluate the outcome of Gongs mobilization and PNF in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The significance of this study is to compare Gong's mobilization technique with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) compare their effects on pain, range of motion, and functional disability. The sample size was calculated with G-power. This study would include total 44 female participants aged 40-60 years will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Group A(Gongs mobilization+ conventional therapy)and Group B(PNF+ Conventional therapy). Intervention will be provided for 4 weeks 3 session per week. Primary outcome measures are pain, ROM and functional disability via NPRS, Goniometer and U-SPADI. Outcomes will be reassessed at baseline, after 2nd week, and after 4th week.
Detailed description
Adhesive capsulitis ,which is also referred as frozen shoulder is described as a progressive and self-limiting condition leading to gradual onset of pain and loss of shoulder Range of motion. It restricts both Active and Passive movements due to adhesions in Glenohumeral(GH) joint capsule. which leads to fibrosis, scarring and contracture of joint capsule. As fibrosis progresses restricting the shoulder normal Range of motion. ultimately impacting person's daily activities and frequently interfering with sleep and making basic activities like combing hair , dressing and overhead activities difficult.
Gong's Mobilization(GM) serves as an effective technique in the treatment of Frozen shoulder, it was introduced by W. Gong, the mainstay of this mobilization is to correct the positional fault of the humeral head that is often medially rotated and dragged forward due to muscular tension of Subscapularis and Pectoralis Major along with the tightness of posterior capsule. Gong mobilization intends to keep the humeral head in its correct position during dynamic motion of the GH joint by keeping the affected scapula in anterior to posterior position and the humeral head in posterior to anterior direction at the same time. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch is a technique commonly used in clinical environments to enhance both active and passive range of motion (ROM), with the ultimate goal of optimizing motor performance and rehabilitation
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Gongs Mobilization | Experimental | Behavioral: Gongs Mobilization, Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationGongs Mobilization + conventional Therapy |
| Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation | Experimental | Behavioral: Gongs Mobilization, Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationPNF + conventional Therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Females in the age group between 40-60 years.
- Diagnosed with Unilateral frozen shoulder.
- Patients in frozen stage (progressive loss of ROM, marked stiffness with gradual pain reduction).
- More than 25% painful limitation of GH ROM in two planes, more than 50% in external rotation(arm at 0 degree of abduction).
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of surgery on the affected shoulder.
- Patients having any cervical or thoracic problem.
- Painful, stiff shoulder after severe trauma, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and malignancies.
- Recent fractures in and around the shoulder.
- Rotator cuff disorder.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Gongs MobilizationGlenohumeral mobilization (GM) will be performed in a side-lying position with the therapist standing on the affected side. An anterior-to-posterior glide will be applied to the humeral head parallel to the joint plane while the opposite hand stabilizes the scapula from posterior to anterior. The patient will perform quick shoulder abduction movements with the elbow extended as the therapist applies Maitland's Grade III-IV oscillatory glides, maintaining slight joint distraction and following the motion through the abduction phase. Each session will include two sets of five repetitions with a five-minute rest between sets, for a total of twelve sessions | Behavioural | Gongs Mobilization, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation |
| Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationThe therapist will use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques specifically employing the hold-relax method followed by the D2 pattern of flexion-extension movement. Each session will last 15 minutes, comprising 10 sets of PNF. Each set will include 5 repetitions, with a 5-second hold and a 2-second rest between repetitions. This protocol will be administered over 12 sessions. | Behavioural | Gongs Mobilization, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: 4 weeks
Numeric pain rating scale is Subjective Assessment Tool used to assess level of discomfort patients are experiencing. It is eleven-point scale (0-10).whereas 0 indicates(no pain at all) and 10 indicates(worst imaginable pain).
Goniometer
Time frame: 4 weeks
Universal goniometer is used to assess active and passive Range of motion
Shoulder pain and Disability Index Urdu version(SPADI-U)
Time frame: 4 weeks
SPADI-U was Created to assess degree of pain and discomfort in carrying out activities of daily living by patients without any assistance. In the recent version 11-Point Numeric pain rating scale is used to rate each item. It has total 13 items, 5-items for evaluating pain and 8-items for disability.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37907222Kim DH. Outcome Measurement in Shoulder Diseases: Focus on Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Ann Rehabil Med. 2023 Oct;47(5):315-317. doi: 10.5535/arm.23130. Epub 2023 Oct 25. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 40317031Khan AH, Bhuiyan MSH, Kabir MF, Hossain MZ, Jahan S, Hossain KMA, Rahman E. Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern on upper extremity and scapula in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a single-centre assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT). Trials. 2025 May 3;26(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-08848-0.
- Background: PubMed 40095380Fernandes MR. Adhesive capsulitis: current concepts. Musculoskelet Surg. 2026 Mar;110(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s12306-025-00897-7. Epub 2025 Mar 17.
- Background: PubMed 39905175Amjad F, Asghar H. Comparative effects of gong's mobilization and mobilization with movement in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 4;15(1):4272. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-88422-5.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Fatima Miraj, DPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Fatima Miraj, DPT (+923045938254, fatimamiraj921@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07576127, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 May 2026.