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Effectiveness of Spencer Technique and Conventional Physiotherapy (Paraffin Wax Therapy) on Subjects with Adhesive Capsulitis in Terms of Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Ability


Authors : Agalya S.; Sweshadev Nayak; M. K. Franklin Shaju

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4h32wxn6

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug1391

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Background: The prevalence (27.2%) of adhesive capsulitis is a burden to the society; hence there is always a necessity to develop effective treatment intervention for adhesive capsulitis. Even though Literatures supporting the effectiveness of Spencer technique for subjects with adhesive capsulitis are available, but no reviews are found combining Spencer technique with conventional physiotherapy for the subjects with Adhesive capsulitis. Hence there is a need to conduct a study to find out the effectiveness of Spencer technique combined with Wax therapy on range of motion, pain and functional ability among subjects with adhesive capsulitis.  Methodology: The study was pre-test post-test experimental study. 30 subjects belonging to the age group of 40 – 65 years, clinically diagnosed to have Adhesive capsulitis were included in this study. The Experimental group had undergone Spencer technique and Conventional physiotherapy (Wax therapy) whereas the control group had undergone Conventional physiotherapy alone for the period of 4 weeks. Outcome measure instrument: range of motion of both the groups were measured by using Goniometer, pain and functional ability were measured by using ASES scale respectively.  Results: Group A subjects who underwent showed more significant difference in range of motion, pain and functional ability following Spencer technique and Conventional physiotherapy (paraffin wax therapy) as compared to Group B who received only conventional physiotherapy.  Conclusion: Spencer technique combined with paraffin wax therapy are effective in treating adhesive capsulitis.

Keywords : Adhesive Capsulitis, Spencer Technique, Wax Therapy, Pain, Range of Motion, ASES, Goniometer

References :

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Background: The prevalence (27.2%) of adhesive capsulitis is a burden to the society; hence there is always a necessity to develop effective treatment intervention for adhesive capsulitis. Even though Literatures supporting the effectiveness of Spencer technique for subjects with adhesive capsulitis are available, but no reviews are found combining Spencer technique with conventional physiotherapy for the subjects with Adhesive capsulitis. Hence there is a need to conduct a study to find out the effectiveness of Spencer technique combined with Wax therapy on range of motion, pain and functional ability among subjects with adhesive capsulitis.  Methodology: The study was pre-test post-test experimental study. 30 subjects belonging to the age group of 40 – 65 years, clinically diagnosed to have Adhesive capsulitis were included in this study. The Experimental group had undergone Spencer technique and Conventional physiotherapy (Wax therapy) whereas the control group had undergone Conventional physiotherapy alone for the period of 4 weeks. Outcome measure instrument: range of motion of both the groups were measured by using Goniometer, pain and functional ability were measured by using ASES scale respectively.  Results: Group A subjects who underwent showed more significant difference in range of motion, pain and functional ability following Spencer technique and Conventional physiotherapy (paraffin wax therapy) as compared to Group B who received only conventional physiotherapy.  Conclusion: Spencer technique combined with paraffin wax therapy are effective in treating adhesive capsulitis.

Keywords : Adhesive Capsulitis, Spencer Technique, Wax Therapy, Pain, Range of Motion, ASES, Goniometer

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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