Comparative Effects of Spencer Muscle Energy Technique and Hold Relax Techique in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis

Abstract

Background: Adhesive capsulitis is characterized by progressive shoulder pain, capsular thickening, fibrotic adhesions, and restriction of active and passive range of motion, resulting in significant disability and prolonged functional limitation. Objective: To compare the immediate effects of Spencer muscle energy technique (SMET) and the hold-relax technique (HRT) on pain, shoulder range of motion, and functional disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: A quasi-comparative experimental study enrolled 30 adults aged 30–55 years with adhesive capsulitis from hospitals in Faisalabad using convenience sampling. Participants were allocated into two equal groups (n = 15 each): Group 1 received SMET and Group 2 received HRT. Immediate pre- and post-intervention outcomes included Visual Analog Scale for pain, goniometric shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, external rotation), and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Independent samples t-tests were used for between-group comparisons, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: SMET demonstrated significantly greater immediate improvement than HRT for shoulder flexion (t = −3.967, p < 0.001; mean difference = −4.733°, 95% CI: −7.177 to −2.289) and abduction (t = −2.246, p = 0.033; mean difference = −2.533°, 95% CI: −4.843 to −0.223), while external rotation showed no significant between-group difference (p = 0.241). Conclusion: SMET provides superior immediate gains in key functional planes of motion compared with HRT in adhesive capsulitis, supporting its use for rapid short-term mobility improvement