Resistance-Band Shoulder Exercises May Help People with Type 1 Diabetes Manage Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis—commonly called frozen shoulder—is a painful musculoskeletal condition that appears more frequently in people with diabetes. It causes shoulder pain, restricted movement in multiple directions, and difficulty with everyday activities like reaching, dressing, or lifting. For people managing Type 1 diabetes, dealing with frozen shoulder on top of blood sugar management can significantly affect quality of life.

Researchers recruited 28 adults with diabetes and confirmed adhesive capsulitis. One group received no intervention (control), while two other groups performed supervised resistance-band exercises—one group with Type 1 diabetes and one with Type 2 diabetes. All participants who exercised completed a program of stretching and strengthening exercises using resistance bands, performed three times per week over eight weeks.

The study measured how much participants could move their shoulders in different directions (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation), as well as pain intensity and how much the condition interfered with daily activities.

Both exercise groups—Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes—experienced significantly greater improvements in shoulder range of motion across all movements compared to the control group. These improvements were large in size and statistically significant. Both exercise groups also reported meaningful reductions in shoulder pain and functional disability.

Importantly, people with Type 1 diabetes responded similarly to people with Type 2 diabetes, suggesting that resistance-band exercise may benefit both groups equally.

This pilot study provides early evidence that supervised resistance-band exercises may help people with Type 1 diabetes recover mobility and reduce pain from frozen shoulder. However, this was a small trial with only nine Type 1 diabetes participants. Larger, longer studies are needed to confirm these results and determine which people benefit most, how long benefits last, and whether home-based exercise programs work as well as supervised ones.

If you have Type 1 diabetes and shoulder pain or limited movement, talk with your healthcare provider about whether a supervised exercise program might be appropriate for you. Any new exercise routine should be designed with your individual needs and medical situation in mind.

Source: BMC musculoskeletal disorders. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.