Brindisino Fabrizio [Department of Medicine and Health Science “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy]
Sciscione Sara [Riabilita, private practice, Sabaudia (LT), Italy]
Andriesse Arianna [Medical Translation Private Practice c/o Andriesse Medical Translator, Lecce, Italy]
Cioeta Matteo [IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy]
Struyf Filip [Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium]
Feller Daniel [Provincial Agency for Health of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Trento, Italy] [Centre of Higher Education for Health Sciences of Trento, Trento, Italy] [Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands]
Frozen Shoulder (FS) is a complex condition that affects the shoulder joint causing pain, restriction of shoulder motion, and disability. Physiotherapists (PTs) are the first contact clinicians involved in FS management, and no study has previously investigated if PTs knowledge and management skills complied with what subjects suffering from FS needs and expectations. The aim of this study is to compare knowledge, skills and operative strategies of Italian PTs with the needs, perceptions and beliefs of subjects with FS searching also on what PTs believe and their own assisted expected from FS rehab, and highlight common points and divergences for improving subjects taking care, comprehension and health assistance.
The reporting of this exploratory survey followed the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) checklist, and STROBE guidelines. A 2-sections survey was developed and available from the 1st of May to the 1st of August 2023.
A total of 501 PTs and 110 subjects with FS completed the surveys. Most pf PTs answered that they are skilled about pathoanatomical conditions and also careful to the psychological aspects (88.4%) and explain pathology evolution in 3 stages (39.5%). Moreover, the majority of PTs (89.6%) stated that education was important, and that FS should be better managed if in collaboration with other professional (82.2%). Most of PTs believed that priority of patients was to be reassured (32.3%), and 35.8% assessed psychological domain with extemporaneous questions. Subjects suffering from FS were suggested not to have imaging in 23.4% and would like an expert but also empathetic PT in 73.4%. FS course was explained in 3 phases in 29.9% of subjects, but 26.36% of subjects stated that they were not properly informed about FS. Most of subjects stated that the priority should be range of motion recovery (93.64%) and night pain decrease (91.82%). Fearful thoughts were often present and 27.37% would prefer corticosteroid for better manage the painful phase.
The results showed a general agreement between the groups examined, with respect to some issues such as therapeutic relationship characterizing aspects, importance of education and management of pathology. However, main target of treatment, subjects’ priorities, and importance to psychological assessment were noticeable different. PTs should get pathology-specific updating and educational skills, better taking into account the subjective needs and expectations of individuals with FS in order to improve the outcome of subjects and the comprehension of the complexity of the pathology.
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