BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal health problem. Cortical changes along with maladaptive pain behavior has been reported in literature. There is a need to implement biopsychosocial rehabilitation approaches to achieve successful outcomes. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effect of action observation therapy (AOT) on pain, Kinesiophobia, function and quality of life in adhesive capsulitis patients. METHODS: This single-center, prospective study was conducted in a group of 30 persons diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis patients (19 males, 11 females). Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in one group were given AOT along with conventional exercises, while the patients in the other group received only conventional exercises. The patients were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of intervention using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference seen in pre and post intervention scores of the NRS, PCS, TSK, SPADI, SF-36 PCS and SF36 MCS (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study supports the addition of AOT to conventional exercises in rehabilitation of patients with adhesive capsulitis. AOT promotes a top-down approach leading to cortical reorganization and helps to reduce Kinesiophobia and improve quality of life in adhesive capsulitis patients as compared to conventional exercises alone.

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