Umów wizytę

Tomasz Poboży

Robot-assisted rehabilitation for frozen shoulder: a promising signal from a small trial

Autor:

Tomasz Poboży

Polish version: Robotyczna rehabilitacja barku zamrożonego — obiecujący sygnał z małego badania

Robot-assisted rehabilitation could improve the consistency and control of exercises for frozen shoulder. A pilot randomized trial published on 21 August 2026 suggests possible benefits for pain and selected patient-reported outcomes, while also illustrating why small trials require cautious interpretation.

Why this study matters

Adhesive capsulitis causes pain and progressive loss of range of motion. Robotic assistance may improve exercise repeatability, movement control and treatment standardisation, but clinical evidence for this approach in frozen shoulder has been limited.

Study design

This prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled patients aged 20–60 years with adhesive capsulitis and assigned them to robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy (RART) or a control group. Assessments took place before treatment and at 1 and 3 months. Twenty-three patients in the RART group and 22 controls completed the study. Outcomes included patient-reported measures and objective clinical assessments, including range of motion.

Main results

  • At 3 months, the RART group had a greater improvement in numerical rating scale pain scores than controls (P = 0.028).
  • ASES scores also improved more with RART at 3 months (P = 0.046).
  • External rotation improved significantly over time within the RART group (P = 0.042).
  • Overall objective functional outcomes did not differ significantly between groups.

Clinical interpretation for an orthopaedic surgeon

The results provide preliminary evidence of feasibility and possible efficacy. RART appeared feasible and well tolerated, and the pain and ASES findings justify further research. They do not yet establish that robotic therapy should replace standard management of frozen shoulder.

The discrepancy between some subjective improvements and the lack of a significant difference in overall objective function matters. A small sample may both miss real effects and overestimate individual positive outcomes.

Limitations

  • This was a pilot trial with few participants.
  • The final sample was underpowered: the authors reported post hoc statistical power of approximately 68–70%.
  • Follow-up lasted only 3 months, leaving the durability of any differences uncertain.
  • Positive results concerned selected outcomes; superiority in overall objective function was not demonstrated.

Implications for practice

The study supports larger, adequately powered trials comparing robotic assistance with standard programmes and assessing durability, costs and patient selection. It does not show that a robot outperforms every well-delivered rehabilitation programme, shortens the natural course of frozen shoulder for all patients, or should routinely replace other treatments.

References

  • Konarski W, Poboży T, Hordowicz M, Poboży K, Domańska J. Current concepts of natural course and in management of frozen shoulder: A clinical overview. Orthopedic Reviews. 2020;12(4):8832. DOI.
  • Ryu SM, Park JH, Choi W, et al. Robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy for adhesive capsulitis: A pilot randomized controlled trial on clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Medicine (Baltimore). 2026;105(34):e50120. PubMed · DOI.

Related resources

For Doctors and Physiotherapists · Research Updates, Literature and Evidence-Based Medicine

Content prepared by: Tomasz Poboży - orthopaedic surgeon.

Więcej wpisów