Effect of Spencer Muscle Energy Technique on Pain in Diabetic Stiff Shoulder

Overview

Stiff shoulder is a painful and severely debilitating condition. The inflammatory contracture of the glenohumeral joint capsule in stiff shoulder restricts both active and passive range of motion, with loss of external rotation being especially characteristic of this condition (Dyer et al., 2023). Stiff shoulder is clinically described by the continuing onset of shoulder pain and advanced exacerbation of the shoulder joint leading to exertion in the higher extremity activity, significant disability, and functional restrictions. The most common symptom of a stiff shoulder is night pain, resulting in sleep impediment that leads to one-sided sleep on the uninfected shoulder (Mao et al., 2022). Spencer technique is a standardized series of treatments with broad application to diagnose, treat and establish prognosis for restricted mobility in shoulder. It was developed by Spencer in 1961. It is a multistep technique that combines Spencer's positioning, sequencing, slow stretching of the shoulder complex within pain-free limits done by physical therapist while incorporating muscular energy with post-isometric contraction and relaxation (Babu And Putcha., 2022).

thirty diabetic female patients with Stiff shoulder with ages 45-55 years: Group A(study group) : 15 patients received Spencer Muscle Energy Technique along with postural exercise 3 times a week for 8 week. Group B (control group) : 15 patients received Classical physiotherapy treatment includes Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for 15 minutes hotpack on the painful area for 15 minutes along with postural exercise 3 times per week for 8 week.