Prevention of adhesive capsulitis following pacemaker Implementation, A randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION Gradual painful loss of active and passive range of motion in shoulder joint was introduced as adhesive capsulitis (AC). Disabilities in patients with AC are absenteeism from work, loss to leisure time and recurrent seeking to health care services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of AC following pacemaker implementation. Effect of physical therapy and exercise education was also evaluated to prevent AC following pacemaker implementation. METHODS This study is a randomized clinical controlled trial. It was conducted on 62 pacemaker candidates. Patients with no shoulder pain and without any motion limits were enrolled the study consecutively. The patients randomly were divided into two groups after pacemaker implementation. One group treated with physical therapy [group A, n = 28] and the other group didn't [group B, n = 34]. The incidence of adhesive capsulitis was assessed in both groups after 4 months. RESULTS A totall of 62 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 63.2 ± 12.1 years in the group A and 67.1 ± 17.6 years in the group B. Age was not significantly different between groups. A total of 11 patients (17.7%) had adhesive capsulitis 16 weeks after the initial visit [2 in group-A and 9 patients in group-B; P = 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS Incidence of adhesive capsulitis is 17.7% following device implantain. Exercise education and physical therapy significantly reduces adhesive capsulitis incidence following pacemaker implantation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.