Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40819086›Full record

SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

The effectiveness of Spencer muscle energy technique on pain, function and range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

Mihret Dejen Takele, Alemu Kassaw Kibret, Gashaw Jember Belay, Moges Baye, Kefale Getie, Kassaw Belay Shiferaw, Getachew Azeze Eriku

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mihret Dejen TakeleDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia. mihretdejen2017@gmail.com.
Alemu Kassaw KibretDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.
Gashaw Jember BelayDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.
Moges BayeDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.
Kefale GetieDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.
Kassaw Belay ShiferawDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.
Getachew Azeze ErikuDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, 196, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFrozen shoulder, also clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is characterized by pain, stiffness, and gradual loss of passive or active glenohumeral range of motion. It leads to marked reduction in shoulder mobility, impacting daily activities and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Spencer muscle energy technique (SMET) for frozen shoulder patients.

methodsFor this systematic review and meta-analysis, we used PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) for searching from inception to January 20, 2025. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and independent authors selected clinical control trials that compare the effect of the Spencer muscle energy technique and comparative treatment in individuals with frozen shoulder. The outcomes were pain, function, and shoulder range of motion (ROM). Two authors independently did data extraction. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and the overall quality of the evidence was evaluated using the PEDro scale.

resultsNine studies were included in this review, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that SMET and other comparative treatments showed no statistical difference in the pain, flexion ROM, and abduction ROM standard mean difference (SMD). -0.19; 95% CI (-0.83, 0.45); I²=84%, (MD), 7.65; 95% CI (-11.7, 26.9); I²=95%, MD, 11.32; 95% CI (-9.10, 31.74); I²=96%, respectively. SMET was a statistically significant effect for shoulder function, SMD - 0.5; 95% CI (-0.78, -0.22); I² = 41%. SMET had an inferior effect on shoulder external rotation and extension ROM MD, 9.74; 95% CI (2.38, 17.10) I

conclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that SMET shows promise in improving shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder; however, evidence is inconsistent for pain and ROM outcomes compared to other manual therapies. Further studies should explore the effect of SMET across different phases of frozen shoulder to determine the optimal timing for intervention through large, high-quality, and well-designed randomized control trials. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024605780.

Indexed as

BursitisRange of Motion, ArticularShoulder JointShoulder PainHumansTreatment OutcomeAdhesive capsulitisFrozen shoulderFunctionPainRange of motionSpencer muscle energy technique

Identifiers

PMID40819086
PMCPMC12357342

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.