Functional status of patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Cross-Sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Functional status reflects an individual's ability to perform daily activities, impacting overall health and well-being. Frozen Shoulder progresses through three phases, each with varying degrees of functional impairment that affect self-care, work, and leisure. A tailored rehabilitation approach can improve recovery and reintegration. Understanding these limitations is crucial for Occupational Therapists to design effective interventions. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the functional status of patients with Frozen Shoulder. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. Data were collected through a face-to-face survey of 102 participants with Frozen Shoulder. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire assessed functional status. SPSS 22 version was used to conduct the descriptive analysis, and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used for data analysis. Results: The study included 102 participants, aged 25-84 years (median: 50), mostly male (61.8%) and married (77.5%), and 57.8% engaged in repetitive shoulder activities at work. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (44.1%). Among 102 participants, 35 (34.3%) in Phase 1, 34 (33.3%) in Phase 2, and 33 (32.4%) in Phase 3. Disability, measured by the DASH score, was highest in Phase 1 (68.3% reporting difficulty in physical activities), followed by Phase 2 (52.3%), and Phase 3 (34.9%). Severe symptoms were most common in Phase 1 (71.9%), decreasing in Phase 2 (52.4%) and Phase 3 (39.4%). Functional impairment was highest in Phase 1 (median DASH score: 62), decreasing in Phase 2 (median: 42) and Phase 3 (median: 22). Gender (p=0.022) and diabetes (p=0.024) were significantly associated with higher disability scores. Conclusion: This study enhances understanding of functional impairments in Frozen Shoulder patients. It underscores the importance of phase-specific rehabilitation strategies for improving functionality and daily activity participation. Key Words: Frozen Shoulder, Functional Status