Spinal Mobilization With Arm Movement and Kaltenborn Mobilization in Adhesive Capsulitis (SMWAM)

A randomized clinical trial compared the effectiveness of Kaltenborn mobilization and muscle energy techniques in individuals with adhesive capsulitis. Seventy-six participants were randomly allocated into two treatment groups. Pain, shoulder range of motion, and disability were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometry, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) at baseline and after four weeks of treatment. The findings demonstrated that Kaltenborn mobilization produced greater improvements in pain reduction, shoulder range of motion, and functional ability.

A quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects of Kaltenborn mobilization and muscle energy techniques in patients with chronic adhesive capsulitis. Participants received their respective manual therapy interventions in combination with conventional rehabilitation. Shoulder external rotation, shoulder abduction, pain intensity, and functional disability were assessed before and after treatment. The results indicated that Kaltenborn mobilization was more effective than muscle energy techniques in improving shoulder mobility, reducing pain, and enhancing functional outcomes.

A randomized controlled trial compared muscle energy techniques with Kaltenborn mobilization for improving shoulder range of motion in individuals with adhesive capsulitis. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and during follow-up using goniometric measurements. The findings showed that muscle energy techniques produced greater improvements in shoulder flexion and abduction, whereas rotational movements demonstrated no clear advantage over Kaltenborn mobilization.

A randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement (SMWAM) compared with the Maitland mobilization technique on shoulder function. Pain, shoulder range of motion, and muscle activity were evaluated before and after treatment. The results demonstrated that spinal mobilization with arm movement effectively reduced pain, normalized shoulder muscle activity, and increased shoulder range of motion.

A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of anterior and posterior Grade III Kaltenborn glides on shoulder function in patients with adhesive capsulitis. External rotation and functional ability were evaluated using goniometric measurements and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The findings indicated that posterior gliding mobilization resulted in greater improvements in external rotation and shoulder function than anterior gliding.

A randomized controlled trial examined the immediate effects of Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement (SMWAM) on shoulder performance. The intervention involved cervical spinal mobilization combined with repeated active arm abduction. The study reported immediate improvements in shoulder movement and suggested that SMWAM enhances shoulder function by correcting cervical spinal alignment and stimulating joint mechanoreceptors.

Although both Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement (SMWAM) and Kaltenborn Mobilization have demonstrated beneficial effects in reducing pain and improving shoulder mobility, existing evidence has primarily evaluated these techniques independently or compared them with other manual therapy approaches. Direct comparative evidence between SMWAM and Kaltenborn Mobilization in individuals with adhesive capsulitis remains limited, particularly regarding their effects on pain, range of motion, functional reaching, and disability. Therefore, further comparative research is warranted to determine the more effective intervention for optimizing functional recovery in patients with adhesive capsulitis.