Effects of augmented reality-based telerehabilitation in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a randomized controlled trial

Seung Mi Yeo; Ji Young Lim; Seonghee Kim; Hae-Yeon Park; Jae-Young Lim; Jong Geol Do; Jong In Lee; Ji Hye Hwang

doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2025.101956

Effects of augmented reality-based telerehabilitation in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a randomized controlled trial

Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2025 Jun 27;68(5):101956. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2025.101956. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Seung Mi Yeo¹, Ji Young Lim², Seonghee Kim², Hae-Yeon Park³, Jae-Young Lim⁴, Jong Geol Do⁵, Jong In Lee⁶, Ji Hye Hwang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
² Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon-si, Republic of Korea.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea.
⁵ Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁶ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ljikyh@catholic.ac.kr.
⁷ Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hwanglee@skku.edu.

PMID: 40580799
DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2025.101956

Abstract

Background: Home exercise is important for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS). Although studies on telerehabilitation to increase compliance and accuracy of home exercise are increasing in various musculoskeletal conditions, there are few studies on ACS.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR)-based asynchronous telerehabilitation using UNICARE Home+ versus conventional home exercise in participants with ACS.

Methods: One hundred participants with unilateral ACS were recruited and randomly assigned to telerehabilitation group (TR group) and conventional rehabilitation group (CR group). All participants, regardless of group, received the same hospital-based physical therapy once or twice for at least 3 months, plus an additional 3 months of home exercise. The TR group performed home exercises with an asynchronous telerehabilitation system, and the CR group performed home exercises with brochures. The primary outcome was the changes in the passive range of motion (PROM) of the affected shoulder joint between baseline and 3 months. The secondary outcomes were active ROM (AROM), shoulder pain measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) at the 6 assessment points: at baseline, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4.5- and 6-month.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline PROM and 3-month PROM between the 2 groups. From baseline to 6 months, all PROM, all AROM, NRS, SPADI, COPM, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L were significantly improved over time within each group in both groups (all P<0.001). However, there was no significant Group×Time interaction in any outcome, which means that the effect of time did not depend on which group the participants belonged to.

Conclusion: AR and Kinect sensor-based telerehabilitation for participants with ACS improved shoulder pain, functional outcomes, and quality of life, but did not show superiority over conventional rehabilitation.

Clinicaltrials: gov: NCT04316130.

Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder; Augmented Reality; Digital healthcare; Telerehabilitation.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04316130