Frozen ShoulderNCT07844135
Spencer's Technique Versus Mulligan's Technique for Stage II Frozen Shoulder
A study testing Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional Physiotherapy and Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Frozen Shoulder and Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Superior University at 2 sites in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Stage II frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is associated with pain, stiffness, restricted shoulder range of motion, and reduced quality of life. This randomized controlled trial will compare Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique with Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement in adults with Stage II idiopathic frozen… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis
- What is being tested?
- Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional Physiotherapy and Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional Physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesPakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2026to 1 Apr 2027
- 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 30 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female participants aged 30 to 55 years.
- History of idiopathic Stage II frozen shoulder.
- Experiencing shoulder pain for at least 3 months.
Who cannot join
- History of rotator cuff tears, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, tumors of the shoulder region, or thoracic outlet syndrome.
- History of fracture of the upper limb involving the affected shoulder.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan2 sites
City Hospital
Multan, Punjab Province
Muhammad Naveed Babur, +92 333 5118324, Naveedphysio@gmail.com
Muhammad Naveed Babur
Ibn e Sina Hospital and Research Institute
Multan, Punjab Province
Muhammad Naveed Babur, +92 333 5118324, Naveedphysio@gmail.com
Muhammad Naveed Babur
About this study
Official title: Comparative Efficacy of Spencer's Technique Versus Mulligan's Technique on Pain, Range of Motion, and Quality of Life in Patients With Stage II Frozen Shoulder
Stage II frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is associated with pain, stiffness, restricted shoulder range of motion, and reduced quality of life. This randomized controlled trial will compare Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique with Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement in adults with Stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder. Seventy-two participants will be randomized to two groups of 36. Both groups will receive their allocated manual therapy together with conventional physiotherapy for four weeks, three sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 4-week intervention using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometric shoulder range of motion, and the SF-36 questionnaire.
Read the detailed description
The study is a two-arm, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eligible male and female participants aged 30 to 55 years with Stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder and pain for at least three months will be recruited from Ibn e Sina Hospital and Research Institute and City Hospital in Multan, Pakistan. Participants will be selected using non-probability convenience sampling and then randomized by chit-and-lottery method. Group A will receive Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique with conventional physiotherapy. Group B will receive Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement with conventional physiotherapy. The confirmed treatment schedule is three sessions per week for four weeks. Pain, shoulder range of motion, and health-related quality of life will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis
- Being tested
- Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional Physiotherapy, Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional Physiotherapy
- Keywords
- Stage II frozen shoulder, Spencer's technique, Mulligan technique, Mobilization with Movement, Pain, Shoulder range of motion, Quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional PhysiotherapyOther
Also called Spencer's Technique
Spencer's technique will use sequential passive shoulder movements including extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat, shoulder isometrics, pulley and finger-ladder exercises, pectoral stretching, and Codman's pendulum exercises. Treatment will be provided three sessions per week for four weeks, approximately 30 to 40 minutes per session.
Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional PhysiotherapyOther
Also called Mulligan MWM
Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement will use a passive accessory glide applied in the direction of arm movement within the pain-free range. The protocol describes three sets of 10 repetitions with two minutes of rest between sets. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat, shoulder isometrics, pulley and finger-ladder exercises, pectoral stretching, and Codman's pendulum exercises. Treatment will be provided three sessions per week for four weeks, approximately 30 to 40 minutes per session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Spencer's Technique | Experimental | Participants will receive Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique together with conventional physiotherapy three sessions per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional Physiotherapy |
| Group B: Mulligan's Technique | Active comparator | Participants will receive Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement together with conventional physiotherapy three sessions per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional Physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity Assessed by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Shoulder Range of Motion Assessed by Goniometer
Shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation will be measured in degrees using a goniometer.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by SF-36
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Domain scores are transformed to a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating better health status.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Frozen ShoulderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized into two parallel intervention groups of 36 participants each using a chit-and-lottery method.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Superior University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muhammad Naveed Babur, Superior University
- Investigators
- Muhammad Naveed Babur, Principal investigator, Superior University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07844135
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SU91-MSRSW-F24-065
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Efficacy of Spencer's Technique Versus Mulligan's Technique on Pain, Range of Motion, and Quality of Life in Patients With Stage II Frozen Shoulder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07844135
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SU91-MSRSW-F24-065
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis
- Keywords
- Stage II frozen shoulder, Spencer's technique, Mulligan technique, Mobilization with Movement, Pain, Shoulder range of motion, Quality of life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Superior UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Sep 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.
Stage II frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is associated with pain, stiffness, restricted shoulder range of motion, and reduced quality of life. This randomized controlled trial will compare Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique with Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement in adults with Stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder. Seventy-two participants will be randomized to two groups of 36. Both groups will receive their allocated manual therapy together with conventional physiotherapy for four weeks, three sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 4-week intervention using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometric shoulder range of motion, and the SF-36 questionnaire.
Detailed description
The study is a two-arm, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eligible male and female participants aged 30 to 55 years with Stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder and pain for at least three months will be recruited from Ibn e Sina Hospital and Research Institute and City Hospital in Multan, Pakistan. Participants will be selected using non-probability convenience sampling and then randomized by chit-and-lottery method. Group A will receive Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique with conventional physiotherapy. Group B will receive Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement with conventional physiotherapy. The confirmed treatment schedule is three sessions per week for four weeks. Pain, shoulder range of motion, and health-related quality of life will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized into two parallel intervention groups of 36 participants each using a chit-and-lottery method.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Spencer's Technique | Experimental | Other: Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional PhysiotherapyParticipants will receive Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique together with conventional physiotherapy three sessions per week for four weeks. |
| Group B: Mulligan's Technique | Active comparator | Other: Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional PhysiotherapyParticipants will receive Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement together with conventional physiotherapy three sessions per week for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Male and female participants aged 30 to 55 years.
- History of idiopathic Stage II frozen shoulder.
- Experiencing shoulder pain for at least 3 months.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- History of rotator cuff tears, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, tumors of the shoulder region, or thoracic outlet syndrome.
- History of fracture of the upper limb involving the affected shoulder.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional PhysiotherapyAlso: Spencer's TechniqueSpencer's technique will use sequential passive shoulder movements including extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat, shoulder isometrics, pulley and finger-ladder exercises, pectoral stretching, and Codman's pendulum exercises. Treatment will be provided three sessions per week for four weeks, approximately 30 to 40 minutes per session. | Other | Group A: Spencer's Technique |
| Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional PhysiotherapyAlso: Mulligan MWMMulligan's Mobilization with Movement will use a passive accessory glide applied in the direction of arm movement within the pain-free range. The protocol describes three sets of 10 repetitions with two minutes of rest between sets. Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat, shoulder isometrics, pulley and finger-ladder exercises, pectoral stretching, and Codman's pendulum exercises. Treatment will be provided three sessions per week for four weeks, approximately 30 to 40 minutes per session. | Other | Group B: Mulligan's Technique |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity Assessed by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Shoulder Range of Motion Assessed by Goniometer
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation will be measured in degrees using a goniometer.
Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by SF-36
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Domain scores are transformed to a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating better health status.
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 28 Sep 2026.
- 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.
Muhammad Naveed Babur principal investigator
Superior University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Spencer's Muscle Energy Technique With Conventional Physiotherapy and Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement With Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Frozen Shoulder and Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Superior University at 2 sites 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 3 inclusion and 2 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 28 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites 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 Muhammad Naveed Babur (+92 333 5118324, Naveedphysio@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity Assessed by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention). 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?
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 28 Sep 2026.