EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE IN PATIENTS WITH ADHESIVES CAPSULITIS AND MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME AFTER PHYSICAL THERAPY
Authors: Rusanov A.P. , Vitomskyi V.V. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract. The purpose of the study: to investigate the therapeutic alliance that is formed during physical therapy based on therapeutic exercises and ischemic compression in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint and myofascial pain syndrome in the thoracic region.

Materials and methods. 20 patients participated in the study. None of the patients had a history of intra-articular corticosteroid injections prior to the orthopedic physician's consultation, while 7 (35%) patients received the injection after the physician's consultation prior to physical therapy. Physical therapy began after an examination and consultation with an orthopedic traumatologist. Patients received a physical therapist's consultation, during which they were given information about the specifics of performing therapeutic exercises and ischemic compression of trigger points at home through instruction, demonstration, and trial performance. The patient also received an information booklet. Later, exercises and ischemic compression were performed at home independently. The complex of therapeutic exercises included pendulum exercises and stretching exercises, which were aimed at the shoulder joint and did not aim to move the scapulothoracic joint. Planned counseling of patients by a physical therapist also took place at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd week of therapy, and the final one at the end of the 3rd week. At all consultations, in addition to providing and clarifying information about physical therapy, information was also received from the patient about the presence of questions, thoughts and feelings related to physical therapy to prevent the existence of unanswered questions and unexpressed thoughts.

Goniometry of the shoulder joint and assessment of pain on a numerical scale at trigger points (when applying pressure of 2.5 kg×cm-2) were used before the intervention and after three weeks of physical therapy. The first assessment of the therapeutic alliance was conducted after three weeks of physical therapy, and the second 1.5 months after the first questionnaire.

Results. In the course of physical therapy, the indicators of movement amplitudes improved and pain in trigger points decreased statistically. The first assessment of the therapeutic alliance established that the Mе (25%; 75%) indicators of the goal domain were 16 (15; 17) points, the task domain was 15 (14; 17) points, the relationship domain was 16 (15; 17) points, and re-evaluation did not establish changes in key indicators in the distant period. The goals domain scores decreased slightly, while the task and relationship domains increased slightly. Statistical differences were established only in the eighth (in favor of the first questionnaire), ninth and twelfth points of the questionnaire (in favor of the second questionnaire).

Conclusions. Physical therapy, which consisted of a series of consultations and independent performance of therapeutic exercises and ischemic compression, had a positive effect on the range of motion in the shoulder joint and pain in trigger points. During the three-week participation in the physical therapy program, a therapeutic alliance was formed, which the patients rated at the level of 47 (46; 48) points, and the remote assessment did not establish its changes over time.