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Journals / Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 4

Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity?

Ali Aydilek(Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology)0000-0003-1413-0781
Merve Görgülü(ANKARA YILDIRIM BEYAZIT ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (DR))0009-0006-8563-2075
Ayfer Ezgi Yılmaz Çakıroğlu(Hacettepe University, Department of Statistics)0000-0002-6214-8014
Aydan Örsçelik(Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Sports Medicine)0000-0002-8610-8869
Tuğba Kocahan(Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Sports Medicine)0000-0002-0567-857X
Bihter Akınoğlu(Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation)0000-0002-8214-7895
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-08-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings support the combined assessment of ROM and pain characteristics in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation planning.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to determine whether shoulder range of motion (ROM) or pain intensity was more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in individuals with frozen shoulder.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 34 individuals with frozen shoulder aged 25-78 years.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings support the combined assessment of ROM and pain characteristics in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation planning.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Frozen shoulder · range of motion · pain intensity

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to determine whether shoulder range of motion (ROM) or pain intensity was more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in individuals with frozen shoulder. It also sought to identify which ROM directions and pain characteristics showed the strongest relationships with functional limitation and health-related quality-of-life domains. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 34 individuals with frozen shoulder aged 25-78 years. Demographic data, shoulder ROM, pain intensity, functional status, and quality-of-life measures were obtained from medical records. ROM was assessed with a goniometer, pain with the Visual Analog Scale, function with DASH and SPADI, and quality of life with SF-36. Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses were used according to data distribution, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Weak to moderate correlations were observed among ROM, pain intensity, functional status, and quality-of-life measures. Active and passive shoulder flexion and abduction were consistently associated with functional outcomes, whereas activity-related pain and night pain were predominantly associated with health-related quality-of-life measures (r=−0.383 to −0.598, all p<0.05). Among pain variables, activity-related pain and night pain were most closely associated with quality-of-life measures, with night pain showing the strongest correlations across several SF-36 domains (r=−0.353 to −0.585, all p<0.05). Conclusion: In individuals with frozen shoulder, flexion and abduction ROM showed comparatively stronger associations with functional outcomes, whereas activity-related pain and night pain showed stronger associations with several quality of-life domains. These findings support the combined assessment of ROM and pain characteristics in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation planning.

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Cite This Article

Aydilek, A., Görgülü, M., Çakıroğlu, A. E. Y., Örsçelik, A., Kocahan, T., Akınoğlu, B. (2026). Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity?. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, Volume: 7 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1977349

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