Gong's mobilization versus PNF for frozen shoulder

Effects of Gongs Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis

Not applicable Interventional Riphah International University · NCT07576127

This study will test whether adding Gong's mobilization or PNF to usual therapy helps women aged 40–60 with frozen shoulder reduce pain and improve shoulder movement and daily activities.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment44 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 60 Years
SexFemale
SponsorRiphah International University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rawalpindi, Punjab Province)
Trial IDNCT07576127 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 44 women aged 40–60 with unilateral frozen shoulder and randomly assign them to Gong's mobilization plus conventional therapy or PNF plus conventional therapy. Interventions are delivered three times per week for four weeks, with outcomes measured at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks. Primary outcomes are pain (NPRS), shoulder range of motion (goniometer), and functional disability (U-SPADI). The trial is conducted at Pakistan Railway General Hospital in Rawalpindi and uses G*Power for sample-size calculation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 40–60 with unilateral adhesive capsulitis in the frozen stage showing >25% painful limitation of glenohumeral ROM in two planes and >50% limitation in external rotation.

Not a fit: Patients with prior shoulder surgery, recent fractures, rotator cuff disorders, cervical or thoracic problems, inflammatory arthritis, malignancy, or traumatic stiff shoulders are unlikely to benefit from these specific interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could speed pain relief and recovery of shoulder motion and everyday function for affected patients.

How similar studies have performed: Various manual mobilization techniques and PNF have shown benefit for improving ROM and pain in adhesive capsulitis in prior studies, but direct randomized comparisons specifically of Gong's mobilization versus PNF are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Females in the age group between 40-60 years.
* Diagnosed with Unilateral frozen shoulder.
* Patients in frozen stage (progressive loss of ROM, marked stiffness with gradual pain reduction).
* More than 25% painful limitation of GH ROM in two planes, more than 50% in external rotation(arm at 0 degree of abduction).

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of surgery on the affected shoulder.
* Patients having any cervical or thoracic problem.
* Painful, stiff shoulder after severe trauma, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and malignancies.
* Recent fractures in and around the shoulder.
* Rotator cuff disorder.

Where this trial is running

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Adhesive CapsulitisPainROMFunctional DisabilityGongs MobilizationPNF
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.