Frozen shoulder study: is physical therapy worth the extra cost?

NCT ID NCT02283996

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether adding physical therapy to steroid injections helps people with frozen shoulder more than steroid injections alone. About 260 adults with frozen shoulder will be split into two groups: one gets physical therapy plus steroid shots, the other gets steroid shots and is watched. The goal is to see if physical therapy improves shoulder function or just adds extra cost.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: physical therapy and depot methylprednisolone (steroid injection)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that physical therapy adds little benefit over steroid injections alone, potentially saving patients time and money.
What could go wrong: This is a phase 4 study comparing standard treatments, not a new breakthrough. The researchers actually expect no major difference between groups, so it may simply confirm current practice.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bursitis frozen shoulder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS FROZEN SHOULDER SHOULDER FROZEN

Contacts and locations

Locations

MGH, Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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