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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Rat Model of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder
Published on: September 28, 2018
Can visuomotor illusions improve shoulder pain, function and range of motion in people with adhesive capsulitis? A
Émilie Bouchard1, Lydiane Lauzier1, Julie N Côté2
1Laboratoire BioNR, Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.
Background:
Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a shoulder musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and loss of movement, often lasting >1 year. Conventional therapies typically target tissular adherences and flexibility. Since chronic pain and loss of movement are known to cause negative changes in the central nervous system, could therapeutic approaches designed to target sensorimotor networks, like visuomotor illusions (VMI), be effective in AC cases?
Objective:
The primary objective of this systematic review was to critically appraise the available evidence from studies having used VMI approaches in people with AC. The secondary objective was to undertake a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of VMI therapies on pain, functional status and ranges of motion.
Methods:
The literature search was conducted in three databases between October 2023 and November 2024. A meta-analysis was realized to contrast effects on pain, functional status and active range of shoulder motion between groups.
Results:
Eight studies were included for the systematic review and six studies in the meta-analysis. Despite positive clinical changes reported in all studies, the meta-analysis showed an unclear superiority of VMI approaches compared to conventional therapies. Several factors that likely influenced our findings are discussed, as well as remaining gaps of knowledge and future directions to explore.
