"I Cannot Recognize My Body": Experiences and Perceptions of Patients Living With Frozen Shoulder: A Qualitative Systematic Review With Meta-synthesis and Meta-summary.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To systematically synthesize and summarize findings from qualitative studies exploring the perceptions and experiences of individuals living with frozen shoulder. DESIGN: Systematic review of qualitative studies. LITERATURE SEARCH: The search strategy was conducted in June and updated in November 2024. We searched the following databases: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), PsycINFO, MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: We included qualitative primary studies or mixed-methods studies that (1) clearly identified qualitative data; (2) were published in English or Italian; (3) involved participants aged ≥16 years; and (4) investigated participants' experiences living with frozen shoulder, regardless of phase, intervention type, or publication date. DATA SYNTHESIS: Sandelowski and Barroso's methodology was followed for meta-synthesis and meta-summary. The Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research approach evaluated the certainty of the results. RESULTS: Nine studies, comprising 116 participants, were included. One hundred fifty-seven target findings were extracted, analyzed, synthesized, and grouped into 12 categories and 5 main themes: (1) "I cannot recognize my body," (2) "Frozen shoulder is hindering my life," (3) "Frozen shoulder is affecting my psychological well-being," (4) "Navigating recovery," and (5) "Regaining control of my life after frozen shoulder." The critical appraisal indicated moderate methodological quality, and there was a moderate level of confidence that the findings effectively captured the patient experience of frozen shoulder. CONCLUSION: Frozen shoulder affects people's physical function, emotional well-being, and daily life, underscoring the need for a patient-centered approach. Integrating these perspectives into clinical practice can enhance health care strategies and support recovery. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(9):1-16. Epub 30 July 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.13432.