Adhesive CapsulitisNCT07724613
Comparative Effects of Gongs and Maitland Mobilization in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
A study testing Group A: Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Riphah International University.
Trial summary
Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by shoulder pain, restricted range of motion (ROM), and functional disability, leading to limitations in daily activities and reduced quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- What is being tested?
- Group A: Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Jul 2026to 30 Dec 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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged between 40-65 years.
- Both male and female genders
- Stage II and III frozen shoulder
- Positive Apley's Scratch test
- Pain rating 3 to 7 on NPRS for at least 3 months
- Frozen shoulder with at least 25% restricted ROM
Who cannot join
- Mental disorders
- Arthritic shoulder
- Rotator cuff disease
- Post-traumatic stiff shoulder
- Post-CABG shoulder-hand syndrome
- Post-stroke frozen shoulder
Show all 9Show fewer
- Bilateral frozen shoulder
- Neurological disorders
- Frozen Shoulder secondary to Brachial Plexus Injury, Parkinsonism, Ankylosis, Infection, or Arthroplasty
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Gongs and Maitland Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by shoulder pain, restricted range of motion (ROM), and functional disability, leading to limitations in daily activities and reduced quality of life. Manual therapy techniques, including Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization, are widely used in physiotherapy management; however, evidence comparing their effectiveness remains limited.
Read the detailed description
The study aim to compare the effects of Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization on pain, shoulder range of motion, and functional disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted on 60 participants diagnosed with stage II and III adhesive capsulitis. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization. Both groups also received conventional physiotherapy, including hot pack application, stretching, isometric exercises, and a home exercise program. Outcome measures includes the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and shoulder ROM assessed using a goniometer. Assessments will be performed at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Being tested
- Group A: Gong's Mobilization, Maitland Mobilization
- Keywords
- Adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder, Gong's mobilization, Maitland mobilization, pain, range of motion, functional disability, physiotherapy.
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group A: Gong's MobilizationOther
According to the criteria described by Gong et al., the patient was positioned in supine lying while the affected arm was placed upward to maintain the humerus in an upright position, with the elbow flexed to 90 degrees and the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees[A31.1]. The therapist then held the patient's hand and applied anterior-to-posterior pressure to the humerus while maintaining the elbow at a 90-degree angle. Subsequently, the therapist gently applied pressure to the articular capsule of the shoulder joint while elevating the patient's torso. The articular capsule was gently mobilized for 10-15 seconds followed by a 5-second release period. The therapist used one hand to perform medial rotation of the shoulder while stabilizing the elbow. This technique was performed for five sessions per week for four weeks, with 10-15 repetitions during each session
Maitland MobilizationOther
Maitland mobilization using posterior glide technique was administered with the patient in a supine position. The therapist grasped the head of the humerus with one hand to perform the movements and stabilized the clavicular region with the other hand. The therapist remained in a standing position while applying the glides. To further stabilize the scapula and prevent scapular protraction, a towel was placed underneath the scapula, allowing smoother scapular glides[A.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Gong's Mobilization | Experimental | Group A will receive Gong's Mobilization for adhesive capsulitis. Receives: Other: Group A: Gong's Mobilization |
| Maitland Mobilization | Active comparator | Group B will receive Maitland Mobilization for adhesive capsulitis. Receives: Other: Maitland Mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was a widely used tool designed to assess pain intensity in both clinical and research settings. It consisted of an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represented "no pain" and 10 indicated the "worst imaginable pain."
Measured: upto 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Goniometer
The goniometer was a widely used instrument in clinical and rehabilitation settings to measure joint angles and assess the range of motion (ROM).
Measured: upto 6 weeks
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was a self-administered questionnaire designed to evaluate pain and functional impairment related to shoulder disorders. It consisted of 13 items divided into pain and disability subscales and was often used in both clinical practice and research.
Measured: upto 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jul 2026
- Study startJul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)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
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Umama Irfan, MSPT*, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07724613
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0139
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Choi JM, Cho EY, Lee BH. Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined with Manual Therapy on Pain, ROM, Function, and Quality of Life of Adhesive Capsulitis. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Dec 24;12(1):45. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12010045.
PubMed 38200951Xia WZ, Cortes RE, Chin KF, Cobiella C, Lambert S. "Idiopathic" adhesive capsulitis is caused by reactivation of latent neurotrophic virus involving peripheral nerves around the shoulder capsule: A hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses. 2025;197:111604.
Nakandala P, Nanayakkara I, Wadugodapitiya S, Gawarammana I. The efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(2):195-205. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200186.
PubMed 33185587Sarasua SM, Floyd S, Bridges WC, Pill SG. The epidemiology and etiology of adhesive capsulitis in the U.S. Medicare population. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Sep 27;22(1):828. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04704-9.
PubMed 34579697Fernandes 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 40095380Kulm S, Langhans MT, Shen TS, Kolin DA, Elemento O, Rodeo SA. Genome-Wide Association Study of Adhesive Capsulitis Suggests Significant Genetic Risk Factors. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Nov 2;104(21):1869-1876. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.21.01407. Epub 2022 Nov 2.
PubMed 36223477Jacob L, Gyasi RM, Koyanagi A, Haro JM, Smith L, Kostev K. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Older Adults from Germany. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 14;12(2):669. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020669.
PubMed 36675599Do JG, Hwang JT, Yoon KJ, Lee YT. Correlation of Ultrasound Findings With Clinical Stages and Impairment in Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 May 10;9(5):23259671211003675. doi: 10.1177/23259671211003675. eCollection 2021 May.
PubMed 33997079Leafblad N, Mizels J, Tashjian R, Chalmers P. Adhesive Capsulitis. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023 May;34(2):453-468. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2022.12.009. Epub 2023 Feb 28.
PubMed 37003663
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Gongs and Maitland Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07724613
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/25/0139
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Keywords
- Adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder, Gong's mobilization, Maitland mobilization, pain, range of motion, functional disability, physiotherapy.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Jul 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.
Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by shoulder pain, restricted range of motion (ROM), and functional disability, leading to limitations in daily activities and reduced quality of life. Manual therapy techniques, including Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization, are widely used in physiotherapy management; however, evidence comparing their effectiveness remains limited.
Detailed description
The study aim to compare the effects of Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization on pain, shoulder range of motion, and functional disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted on 60 participants diagnosed with stage II and III adhesive capsulitis. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization. Both groups also received conventional physiotherapy, including hot pack application, stretching, isometric exercises, and a home exercise program. Outcome measures includes the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and shoulder ROM assessed using a goniometer. Assessments will be performed at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Gong's Mobilization | Experimental | Other: Group A: Gong's MobilizationGroup A will receive Gong's Mobilization for adhesive capsulitis. |
| Maitland Mobilization | Active comparator | Other: Maitland MobilizationGroup B will receive Maitland Mobilization for adhesive capsulitis. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Adults aged between 40-65 years.
- Both male and female genders
- Stage II and III frozen shoulder
- Positive Apley's Scratch test
- Pain rating 3 to 7 on NPRS for at least 3 months
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Mental disorders
- Arthritic shoulder
- Rotator cuff disease
- Post-traumatic stiff shoulder
- Post-CABG shoulder-hand syndrome
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Gong's MobilizationAccording to the criteria described by Gong et al., the patient was positioned in supine lying while the affected arm was placed upward to maintain the humerus in an upright position, with the elbow flexed to 90 degrees and the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees[A31.1]. The therapist then held the patient's hand and applied anterior-to-posterior pressure to the humerus while maintaining the elbow at a 90-degree angle. Subsequently, the therapist gently applied pressure to the articular capsule of the shoulder joint while elevating the patient's torso. The articular capsule was gently mobilized for 10-15 seconds followed by a 5-second release period. The therapist used one hand to perform medial rotation of the shoulder while stabilizing the elbow. This technique was performed for five sessions per week for four weeks, with 10-15 repetitions during each session | Other | Gong's Mobilization |
| Maitland MobilizationMaitland mobilization using posterior glide technique was administered with the patient in a supine position. The therapist grasped the head of the humerus with one hand to perform the movements and stabilized the clavicular region with the other hand. The therapist remained in a standing position while applying the glides. To further stabilize the scapula and prevent scapular protraction, a towel was placed underneath the scapula, allowing smoother scapular glides[A. | Other | Maitland Mobilization |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: upto 6 weeks
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was a widely used tool designed to assess pain intensity in both clinical and research settings. It consisted of an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represented "no pain" and 10 indicated the "worst imaginable pain."
2 secondary outcomes
Goniometer
Time frame: upto 6 weeks
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
Time frame: upto 6 weeks
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 24 Jul 2026.
- Background: PubMed 38200951Choi JM, Cho EY, Lee BH. Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined with Manual Therapy on Pain, ROM, Function, and Quality of Life of Adhesive Capsulitis. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Dec 24;12(1):45. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12010045.
- BackgroundXia WZ, Cortes RE, Chin KF, Cobiella C, Lambert S. "Idiopathic" adhesive capsulitis is caused by reactivation of latent neurotrophic virus involving peripheral nerves around the shoulder capsule: A hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses. 2025;197:111604.
- Background: PubMed 33185587Nakandala P, Nanayakkara I, Wadugodapitiya S, Gawarammana I. The efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(2):195-205. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200186.
- Background: PubMed 34579697Sarasua SM, Floyd S, Bridges WC, Pill SG. The epidemiology and etiology of adhesive capsulitis in the U.S. Medicare population. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Sep 27;22(1):828. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04704-9.
- 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 36223477Kulm S, Langhans MT, Shen TS, Kolin DA, Elemento O, Rodeo SA. Genome-Wide Association Study of Adhesive Capsulitis Suggests Significant Genetic Risk Factors. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Nov 2;104(21):1869-1876. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.21.01407. Epub 2022 Nov 2.
- Background: PubMed 36675599Jacob L, Gyasi RM, Koyanagi A, Haro JM, Smith L, Kostev K. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Older Adults from Germany. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 14;12(2):669. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020669.
- Background: PubMed 33997079Do JG, Hwang JT, Yoon KJ, Lee YT. Correlation of Ultrasound Findings With Clinical Stages and Impairment in Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 May 10;9(5):23259671211003675. doi: 10.1177/23259671211003675. eCollection 2021 May.
- Background: PubMed 37003663Leafblad N, Mizels J, Tashjian R, Chalmers P. Adhesive Capsulitis. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023 May;34(2):453-468. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2022.12.009. Epub 2023 Feb 28.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Adhesive Capsulitis
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Clinic Versus mHealth Application-Based Shoulder Rehabilitation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive Capsulitis
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Physiotherapy Outcomes in Postmenopausal Women With Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Posterior Capsular Stretching With and Without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises in Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder
Active, not recruiting
Spencer vs. Ola Grimsby Techniques With Scapular Motor Training in Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis
Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis
Not yet recruitingPhase 4
OMT for Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder, Frozen Shoulder
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.
Umama Irfan, MSPT* principal investigator
Riphah International University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group A: Gong's Mobilization and Maitland Mobilization in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Riphah International University.
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 6 inclusion and 9 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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 Sumrod Akram (03324806143, samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: upto 6 weeks). 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 NCT07724613, which also lists 9 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 24 Jul 2026.