OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain, functional status and quality of life (QoL) in shoulder adhesive capsulitis (SAC). DESIGN: This single-centre, prospective, single-blind randomized controlled trial included patients with SAC randomly assigned to ESWT, LLLT, or control groups. The ESWT group received 3 ESWT sessions plus 15 sessions of hot pack and exercise; the LLLT group received 15 LLLT sessions with hot pack and exercise. Outcomes (Constant Murley Score-CMS, Visual Analogue Scale-VAS, short form SF-36) were assessed at baseline, 3, and 12 weeks). RESULTS: Sixty SAC patients were randomized equally into ESWT (n = 20), LLLT (n = 20), and control (n = 20) groups. By week 3, both ESWT and LLLT showed significant improvements in VAS-pain and CMS-pain versus control (p < 0.05), while only LLLT improved SF-36 physical limitation scores (p < 0.05). At week 12, the LLLT group showed greater improvements in CMS-ROM, CMS-total, and SF-36 subdomains related to physical and emotional role limitations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SAC both ESWT and LLLT added to exercises therapy positively affected pain and ROM.

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