Efficacy of Scapulothoracic Joint Mobilization in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

JRCRS. 2017; 5(1): 33-36

Abstract

Background: Shoulder joint pain is the third most common musculoskeletal problem with the prevalence of 26% in general population. It is believed that the mechanical compression of acromial structures between the coraco-acromial bony structures and the head of the humerus progress towards the development of shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term effect of scapular movements with mobilization in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Methodology: It was a quasi-experimental study design, in which total of 74 subjects with primary complaint of unilateral shoulder pain due to sub acromial impingement syndrome, who were referred to the department of physical therapy were recruited. This study was carried out at the Department of Physical Therapy, Defence National Hospital Lahore and Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of Disabled Lahore. This study was completed in 06 months from April 2015 to October 2015. A total of 50 Subjects who fulfilled the inclusive criteria were allocated into two treatment groups A and B. Group A was treated with scapular and shoulder mobilization and group B was only treated with shoulder joint mobilization. Each group received 3 treatment sessions for one week. Outcomes of the treatment interventions were recorded through visual analogue scale, shoulder pain and disability index and shoulder range of motion before and at the end of the treatment session.

Results: There was significant improvement in pain (p value=0.00), disability (p value=0.00) and shoulder range of motion (p value=0.00) measured after treatment and at the end of 1 week of treatment across the treatment group. However, this improvement was greater in the group which was managed with both scapular and shoulder joint mobilization as compared to the group which was managed with shoulder joint mobilization only.

Conclusions: It is concluded that scapulothoracic joint mobilization along with gleno-humeral joint mobilization is more beneficial in minimizing pain and improving ROM in individuals with SIS than glenohumeral joint mobilization alone.

Keywords: Mobilization, Manual Therapy, Shoulder Pain