TESTIMONIALS
(Singer/Songwriter)
"I am delighted to recommend Simeon's work, I am sure you will all gain benefit from his new technique for treating your frozen shoulders."
Evidence Based
Clinically Proven
Research - Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial (PILOT)
This type of trial is the 'gold standard' for research. It is extremely strong and clear evidence. Our trial was undertaken in association with the Rheumatology Research Unit, Addenbrokes Hospital (the major teaching hospital in Cambridge - UK). It involved 3 groups of patients each treated with a different approach; the Niel-Asher Technique®, standard physiotherapy and a specially designed hands-on placebo treatment.
IMPORTANT - This was a pilot study; a study with a higher statistical power is warranted
The initial results were outstanding and an abstract was published in the British Journal of Rheumatology Volume 42, Supplement 1, 2003, Article 418 BHPR p.146. These results were also presented to the 1st international Anglo-French society of Rheumatologists 2003 and the International Conference for advancing Osteopathic research 2003. You can read the article for this trial here: http://rheumatology.oupjournals.org/cgi/reprint/42/suppl_1/145.pdf
Conclusions
The Niel-Asher Technique® demonstrated a significant improvement in active range of movement, and strength and power over and above traditional physical therapy treatment, in an outpatient hospital setting. Patients treated with the Niel-Asher Technique® also showed the largest clinical improvement in shoulder pain and disability (SPADI). IMPORTANT - This was a pilot study.
Results explained
In this clinical trial the Niel-Asher Technique® was compared to standard physiotherapy (with exercise) and a placebo (or dummy) treatment.
- 6 treatments were performed over 9 weeks
- All patients were fully assessed by a consultant rheumatologist
- Patients were then randomized into one of three groups; Niel-Asher Technique®, Physiotherapy and Placebo
- Patients were independently measured and assessed by a research physiotherapist
- The physiotherapists were experienced hospital outpatient therapists
- The average duration of symptoms for the group having the Niel-Asher Technique® was 33.6 weeks (8.4 months)
- The total group was 60% female/40% male
- The average age of the patients was 51 years
- All treatments were carried out in the Addenbrookes Hospital physiotherapy outpatient department
The two main outcome measures were improvement in active range of motion (i.e. lifting the arm higher without help) and pain (measured on various pain scales especially the well used and reliable Shoulder Pain and Disability Index - SPADI questionnaire) - since these are the most common components of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome.
Significantly increased range of motion
Range of motion improved by 52.6° degrees for the Niel-Asher Technique® compared to 24° degrees for physiotherapy and 0.8° degrees for placebo. This was a statistically significant result (p=0.0002)
80% Reduction in Pain
Pain improved by 38.7 points for the Niel-Asher Technique® compared to 19.9 points for physiotherapy and 22.8 points for placebo. In fact those patients treated with the Niel-Asher Technique® reported an 80% decrease in pain over 9 weeks! This result approached statistical significance (p=0.07)
Significantly Increased Strength and Power
Interestingly, treatment with the Niel-Asher Technique® demonstrated a significant increase in strength and power (Newton metres per second as measured by a cybex dynamometer), even though no exercises were given. In this study the physiotherapy group did not improve at all and the placebo group decreased in strength and power! This makes sense only when you understand that the Niel-Asher Technique® works directly on the brain to improve shoulder muscle co-ordination. (p=0.043)
IMPORTANT - This was a pilot study; a study with a higher statistical power is warranted.
