Objective
Primary frozen shoulder causes significant pain and progressively restricts shoulder movements. Diagnosis is primarily clinically based on patient history and physical examination. Management is mainly non-invasive owing to its self-limiting clinical course. However, clinical practice guidelines for frozen shoulder have not yet been developed in Korea. The developed guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of frozen shoulder.
Methods
A guideline development committee reviewed the literature from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KMbase). Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome) framework, the committee formulated two backgrounds and 16 key questions to address common clinical concerns. Recommendations were made using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework.
Results
Diabetes, thyroid disease, and dyslipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Although frozen shoulder is often self-limiting, some patients may experience long-term disabilities. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should be used as adjunctive tools alongside clinical diagnosis, and not as independent diagnostic methods. Noninvasive approaches, such as medications, physical modalities, exercises, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Other noninvasive interventions have limited evidence, and their application should be based on clinical judgment. Intra-articular steroid injections are recommended for treatment, and physiotherapy or hydrodilatation with steroid injections can also be beneficial.
Conclusion
These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating primary frozen shoulder.

Citations

• Comparison of efficacy of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma with bupivacaine and steroid combination in chronic shoulder pain
  Naveen Malhotra, Neha Sinha, Amit Kumar, Ritu, Disha Gupta, Naman Malhotra
  Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology.2026; 42(1): 120.     CrossRef
• Hyperlipidemia exacerbates frozen shoulder fibrosis by activating the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway via the TBX5-TNC-Itgα2 axis
  Fan Jiang, Yi Zhang, Jinlong Ma, Tengbo Yu, Youliang Shen
  iScience.2026; 29(2): 114660.     CrossRef
• Axillary recess capsular edema is associated with heterogeneity in rehabilitation response: Implications for a magnetic resonance imaging-based stratified treatment strategy for adhesive capsulitis
  De-Ting Zhu, Yan-Qi Shan, Yan Wang, ChenChen, Da-Dong Zhang, Xiu-Li Kan, Quan-Bing Zhang, Xue-Ming Li, Yun Zhou
  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Clinical efficacy of Mulligan mobilization with movement versus proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on pain reduction and shoulder mobility in patients with frozen shoulder
  Sylejman Miftari, Mejdi Aliu
  Health, sport, rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

Objective
To investigate the feasibility and effects of a mobile app-based home cycling exercise program compared to home cycling exercise without additional monitoring system. Compared with fitness facilities or outdoor exercise, home-based exercise programs effectively improve physical performance in an indwelling community. However, a flexible, informal environment may decrease motivation and impair adherence to physical exercise. Mobile devices for aerobic exercise and mobile applications provide real-time monitoring, immediate feedback, and encouragement to increase motivation and promote physical performance. We investigated the feasibility and effects of a mobile app-based home exercise program on body composition, muscular strength, and cardiopulmonary function.
Methods
Between February and May 2023, 20 participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (mobile application with a tablet) and control groups, and they performed aerobic exercise using a stationary bicycle for ≥150 minutes per week for 6 weeks (≤30-minute exercise session, with 3-minute warm-up and 3-minute cool-down). Karvonen formula-based heartrate defined the weekly increase in exercise intensity. Outcome measures included body-composition parameters, isokinetic knee flexor and extensor strength tests, cardiopulmonary exercise test results, and rate of target heart rate (HR) achievement. Participants were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
Results
Unrelated personal events led two participants to drop out. The intervention and control groups had similar baseline characteristics. Compared with the control group, in the post-intervention isokinetic strength test, bilateral knee flexor and extensor power, and time to target HR achievement significantly increased each week in the intervention group.
Conclusion
Home-based exercise to achieve long-term cardiovascular fitness with portable electronic/mobile devices facilitates individualized exercise using real-time feedback to improve motivation and adherence.

Citations

• How sports application functions promote college students’ exercise behavior: a mixed-methods study
  Cheng Qiu, Chong Zhang, Yao Yin
  Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Impact of heart rate variability-based exercise prescription: self-guided by technology and trainer-guided exercise in sedentary adults
  Antonio Casanova-Lizón, Agustín Manresa-Rocamora, José Manuel Sarabia, Diego Pastor, Alejandro Javaloyes, Iván Peña-González, Manuel Moya-Ramón
  Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Network meta-analysis of exercise modalities for their effects on micro-inflammation in patients undergoing hemodialysis
  LongKe Xu, XinYu Wang, XiaoXia Cai, YuanFeng Lv, LiXiang Ye, XiaoShan Wang, Li Chen
  European Journal of Medical Research.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Objective
To develop and evaluate the Korean version of a hospital-based transitional rehabilitation program (TRP), using daily living home for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.
Methods
In this study, we developed the Korean version of a hospital-based TRP through domestic and overseas surveys and focus group meetings. By applying this to chronic SCI patients, we observed the functional and quality of life (QOL) changes and evaluated the degree of achievement of the core goals set for each patient during hospital-based TRP.
Results
Hospital-based TRP, for 21.8±3.9 days on average, was applied to four chronic SCI patients (two patients with long-term hospital stays and two homebound disabled individuals) with an average injury period of 736.8±185.4 days. The Korean version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (49.3±6.9 vs. 62.5±6.0; p<0.05) showed functional improvement at the end of TRP, when compared to that before the TRP. The Korean version of the World Health Organization’s QOL scale, abbreviated version (159.8±36.6 vs. 239.8±36.1; p<0.05), showed improvement in QOL. Goal attainment scaling showed a significant degree of achievement for the core goals through TRP (33.6±4.4 vs. 70.0±2.8; p<0.05). These results confirmed that the effect was maintained 1 month after the end of TRP. Additionally, two patients were successfully discharged after TRP completion, and the other two could start social activities.
Conclusion
The Korean version of the hospital-based TRP, applied to chronic SCI patients, showed the potential to improve the patients’ functioning and QOL and appeared to be effective in successful discharge and social participation.

Citations

• Interventional Programs for Community Reintegration after Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review
  Surajo Kamilu Sulaiman, Bashir Kaka, Bashir Bello, Ashiru Hamza  Mohammed, Dauda Salihu, Umar Muhammad Bello, Muhammad Chutiyami, Francis Fatoye
  Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 35(3): 19.     CrossRef