Oriems Fit Research Digest – Introduction

This article is part of the Oriems Fit Research Digest series.

In this series, we regularly share interesting scientific research in very simple language.
Our goal is to spark curiosity, not to give medical advice.

At the end of this blog, you’ll find links to the original research paper.
If you enjoy collecting studies, checking data, or reading full PDFs, everything is there.

You don’t have to trust our explanation.
You can always go straight to the original source.

What Is This Research About?

This research looks at frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis.

Frozen shoulder causes:

• Ongoing shoulder pain

• Very limited arm movement

• Fear of moving because it hurts

The study tested whether Electrical Muscle Stimulation, delivered through needles into muscles (called IMES), could help reduce pain and improve movement.

Who Did This Research and When?

This study was published in 2021 in the International Journal of Surgery Protocols.

Researchers worked across:

• Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

• Gulf Medical University, United Arab Emirates

• Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy, India

These are university-based medical and health research centres.

University hospitals and physiotherapy schools are trusted because:

• Research is ethically approved

• Data is peer-reviewed

• Methods are publicly published

Who Was Studied?

The study included 88 adults with frozen shoulder:

• Ages 30 to 60

• Both men and women

• Shoulder pain lasting 1 to 4 months

• All had muscle trigger points around the shoulder

These were real patients, not lab simulations.

What Did the Researchers Compare?

Participants were split into two groups:

Group 1

• Dry needling

• Plus shoulder exercises

Group 2

• Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation (IMES)

• Plus the same exercises

Both groups trained for 3 weeks and were followed for 3 months.

What Is Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation (IMES)?

IMES is a form of electrical muscle stimulation.

Very thin needles are placed into tight shoulder muscles.
A gentle electrical pulse causes controlled muscle contractions.

This is not TENS, and not surface pads.
It directly activates deep muscles.

What Did the Study Find? 

Pain Reduction

• Pain scores dropped week by week in both groups

• The IMES group improved faster, especially in the first 3 weeks

Some participants experienced over 50% pain reduction within one week.

Better Shoulder Movement

IMES users showed larger improvements in:

• Shoulder lifting (abduction)

• Shoulder rotation

By week 3:

• Shoulder lifting increased to 160°

• Rotation improved to over 76°

These gains were greater than dry needling alone.

Fewer Muscle Trigger Points

Trigger points are tight muscle knots linked to pain.

After IMES:

• Active trigger points dropped close to zero

• Latent trigger points were also reduced

• Improvements remained at 3-month follow-up

Less Fear of Movement

People with frozen shoulder often avoid movement.

IMES users showed:

• Lower fear scores

• More confidence moving the shoulder

This matters because movement often returns before pain fully disappears.

Why Could EMS Be Helpful Here?

This study suggests EMS may:

• Wake up weak, inactive shoulder muscles

• Reduce tight muscle knots

• Help movement return before pain fully settles

This matches how many people describe their experience:

“It moves better even if it still aches.”

How Might This Help EMS Users?

For people using EMS devices:

• Movement improvements may appear early

• Pain reduction may follow gradually

• Consistency matters more than intensity

This research supports gentle, repeated muscle activation.

Study Information

Original Research Title:
Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Therapeutic Exercises in Patients with Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Simplified Title:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Help Frozen Shoulder Move Better?

Link to original study:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34056148/

Why This Source Is Trustworthy:

• Peer-reviewed journal

• University-led research

• Full methods and data published

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About Oriems Fit

At Oriems Fit, a 100% Australian Award-Winning Brand, we’re proud to be recognized as YEAR’S BEST for two consecutive years.

We specialize in Wide-Range Targeted Muscle Stimulation, designed to support:

• Muscle engagement

• Relaxation

• Everyday wellness

No matter your age or mobility level, curiosity should never stop.

Summary Table – At a Glance

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Mandatory Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
For full details, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer