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Impact of TECAR therapy on pain and function in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

TECAR therapy is a thermotherapy modality that enhances microcirculation, reduces inflammation, and supports tissue regeneration by generating heat in superficial and deep tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TECAR therapy on pain and functional outcomes in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial included 60 patients [TECAR group: 30, (50.37 ± 13.90 years); control group: 30, (55.27 ± 10.44 years)]. Both groups completed a 2-week tailored therapeutic exercise program, with 30-min hot pack application and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The TECAR group also received three TECAR therapy sessions per week, for a total of six sessions. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional status with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and supraspinatus tendon thickness and bicipital effusion were assessed via ultrasonography. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, 1 and 3 months post-treatment. Both groups showed significant reductions in VAS and SPADI scores at 1- and 3-month evaluations (p < 0.001). However, the TECAR group demonstrated greater improvements compared to the control group. After treatment, both groups showed a significant reduction in bicipital effusion rates, while no significant change was observed in supraspinatus tendon thickness. Adding TECAR therapy to conventional treatment offered additional benefits in reducing pain and improving function in patients with AC. TECAR therapy is a promising, non-invasive, and cost-effective treatment option for AC with relatively few sessions. 

Clinical trials ID

NCT06784128, Retrospectively Registered. 

 Study registration date

2025–01-15.

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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study. 

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Funding

No financial resources were used to conduct the study described in the manuscript or used to assist with the preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Öznur Uzun, Hilal Buse Arslan, Emine Esra Bilir, Başak Şentürk & Özge Tezen

  2. Medicana International Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Didem Sezgi̇n Özcan

Authors
  1. Öznur Uzun
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  2. Didem Sezgi̇n Özcan
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  3. Hilal Buse Arslan
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  4. Emine Esra Bilir
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  5. Başak Şentürk
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Contributions

Concept and Idea - Ö.U.; Design - Ö.U. D.S.Ö.; Supervision – D.S.Ö., Ö.T.; Resources - Ö.U., Ö.T.; Materials - E.E.B., B.Ş., Ö.T.; Data Collection and/ or Processing - Ö.U., H.B.A., E.E.B.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - Ö.U., E.E.B., B.Ş.; Literature Search - Ö.U. D.S.Ö; Writing Manuscript - Ö.U., D.S.Ö.; Critical Review -Ö.U., D.S.Ö., H.B.A., E.E.B., B.Ş., Ö.T. All authors read and approved the final version of this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Öznur Uzun.

Ethics declarations

Human ethics and consent to participate

The current study was conducted after approval from the local ethics committee of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital (Name of the Approval Committee: Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Scientific and Ethical Review Board for Medical Research No. 2, Ethical number: E2-23-3840).

The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. Patients were adequately informed of the aims, methods, institutional affiliations of the researchers, the anticipated benefits and potential risks of the study and the discomfort it may entail, post-study provisions and any other relevant aspects of the study. The patients were informed of the right to refuse to participate in the study or to withdraw consent to participate at any time without reprisal. Freely-given, informed consent to participate in the study was obtained from all of the participants.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Uzun, Ö., Özcan, D.S., Arslan, H.B. et al. Impact of TECAR therapy on pain and function in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci 40, 231 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04492-x

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