Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity?

Ali Aydilek; Merve Görgülü; Ayfer Ezgi Yılmaz Çakıroğlu; Aydan Örsçelik; Tuğba Kocahan; Bihter Akınoğlu

Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity?

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to determine whether shoulder range of motion (ROM) or pain intensity was more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in individuals with frozen shoulder. It also sought to identify which ROM directions and pain characteristics showed the strongest relationships with functional limitation and health-related quality-of-life domains. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 34 individuals with frozen shoulder aged 25-78 years. Demographic data, shoulder ROM, pain intensity, functional status, and quality-of-life measures were obtained from medical records. ROM was assessed with a goniometer, pain with the Visual Analog Scale, function with DASH and SPADI, and quality of life with SF-36. Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses were used according to data distribution, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Weak to moderate correlations were observed among ROM, pain intensity, functional status, and quality-of-life measures. Active and passive shoulder flexion and abduction were consistently associated with functional outcomes, whereas activity-related pain and night pain were predominantly associated with health-related quality-of-life measures (r=−0.383 to −0.598, all p<0.05). Among pain variables, activity-related pain and night pain were most closely associated with quality-of-life measures, with night pain showing the strongest correlations across several SF-36 domains (r=−0.353 to −0.585, all p<0.05). Conclusion: In individuals with frozen shoulder, flexion and abduction ROM showed comparatively stronger associations with functional outcomes, whereas activity-related pain and night pain showed stronger associations with several quality of-life domains. These findings support the combined assessment of ROM and pain characteristics in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation planning.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Project Number

10/1615

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this retrospective cross-sectional study was obtained from the Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Health Sciences Ethics Committee (approval date: December 25, 2025; decision/project no: 10/1615; research code: 1615). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Movement Education in Sports Science, Orthoptics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ali Aydilek ^*
0000-0003-1413-0781
Türkiye

Merve Görgülü
0009-0006-8563-2075
Türkiye

Ayfer Ezgi Yılmaz Çakıroğlu
0000-0002-6214-8014
Türkiye

Aydan Örsçelik
0000-0002-8610-8869
Türkiye

Tuğba Kocahan
0000-0002-0567-857X
Türkiye

Bihter Akınoğlu
0000-0002-8214-7895
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 15, 2026

Submission Date

June 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Aydilek, A., Görgülü, M., Yılmaz Çakıroğlu, A. E., Örsçelik, A., Kocahan, T., & Akınoğlu, B. (2026). Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity? Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(4), 875-882. https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW

AMA

1.Aydilek A, Görgülü M, Yılmaz Çakıroğlu AE, Örsçelik A, Kocahan T, Akınoğlu B. Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity? J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(4):875-882. https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW

Chicago

Aydilek, Ali, Merve Görgülü, Ayfer Ezgi Yılmaz Çakıroğlu, Aydan Örsçelik, Tuğba Kocahan, and Bihter Akınoğlu. 2026. “Which Clinical Parameter Is More Closely Associated With Functionality and Quality of Life in Patients With Frozen Shoulder: Shoulder Range of Motion or Pain Intensity?”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (4): 875-82. https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW.

EndNote

Aydilek A, Görgülü M, Yılmaz Çakıroğlu AE, Örsçelik A, Kocahan T, Akınoğlu B (August 1, 2026) Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity? Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 4 875–882.

IEEE

[1]A. Aydilek, M. Görgülü, A. E. Yılmaz Çakıroğlu, A. Örsçelik, T. Kocahan, and B. Akınoğlu, “Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity?”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 875–882, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW

ISNAD

Aydilek, Ali - Görgülü, Merve - Yılmaz Çakıroğlu, Ayfer Ezgi - Örsçelik, Aydan - Kocahan, Tuğba - Akınoğlu, Bihter. “Which Clinical Parameter Is More Closely Associated With Functionality and Quality of Life in Patients With Frozen Shoulder: Shoulder Range of Motion or Pain Intensity?”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/4 (August 1, 2026): 875-882. https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW.

JAMA

1.Aydilek A, Görgülü M, Yılmaz Çakıroğlu AE, Örsçelik A, Kocahan T, Akınoğlu B. Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity? J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:875–882.

MLA

Aydilek, Ali, et al. “Which Clinical Parameter Is More Closely Associated With Functionality and Quality of Life in Patients With Frozen Shoulder: Shoulder Range of Motion or Pain Intensity?”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 4, Aug. 2026, pp. 875-82, https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW.

Vancouver

1.Ali Aydilek, Merve Görgülü, Ayfer Ezgi Yılmaz Çakıroğlu, Aydan Örsçelik, Tuğba Kocahan, Bihter Akınoğlu. Which clinical parameter is more closely associated with functionality and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: shoulder range of motion or pain intensity? J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;7(4):875-82. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA46CW59UW