Management of frozen shoulder to be assessed
News release from NETSCC, HTA
01 March 2010
New research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR HTA) will review the most clinical and cost-effective method to treat frozen shoulder.
It is estimated that frozen shoulder affects between two per-cent and five per-cent of the general UK population at some point in their lives, and is most common amongst people in their 50's.
“Frozen shoulder is a very painful condition in which movement of the shoulder becomes severely restricted, usually taking one to three and a half years to resolve”, says lead researcher, Dr Catriona McDaid from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York. “Many daily activities such as dressing can be very difficult and the condition also impacts on working life, leisure and general quality of life”
Currently, there are several treatment options available which include physiotherapy, acupuncture, steroid injections, mobilisation of the shoulder joint while under general anaesthesia, arthrographic distension (injection of saline or other solution to expand the shoulder capsule and free up the joint) and capsular release (a surgical procedure to release contracted tissue). Less invasive treatment options are generally tried first, although there is uncertainty about which are the most effective and at what stage of the condition they should be provided.
The research team will investigate what treatments are effective and provide the best value for money. This will involve conducting a systematic review and developing an economic model. The model will be based on the best available data on the costs of the different treatment options, as well as taking into account the effectiveness of the treatments and their impact on quality of life. Patient-assessed pain intensity, functional status and time to recovery will be the main outcomes of interest.
This project is due to publish in 2012. To view full details about this project visit: http://www.hta.ac.uk/2160
Notes for editors
1. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme commissions research about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest NIHR programme and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with over 530 issues published to date. The journal’s 2009 Impact Factor (6.91) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk
2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk
Contact details
Naomi Williams, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: N.E.Williams@southampton.ac.uk
Kelly Waterman, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 597 376, Email: k.waterman@southampton.ac.uk
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