The Impact of Abdominal Breathing Exercises on Pain, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of abdominal breathing exercises on pain, sleep, and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Material and Methods: Forty-eight patients (29 women, 12 men) aged 40–65 were randomly divided into two groups. Five patients in the study group and three in the control group dropped out. The control group (n=21, mean age 54.2±7.7) received routine physiotherapy for eight weeks (five sessions per week). The study group (n=19, mean age 52.5±7.6) received abdominal breathing exercises in addition to routine physiotherapy. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale; range of motion was measured by goniometry; sleep was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; functionality was assessed by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index; and quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form-36. Results: All parameters improved in both groups, except for sleep-related scores in the control group. The study group showed significant improvement in all Short Form-36 subscales (p