Effects of Thoracic Mobilization on Shoulder Range of Motion

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Shoulder Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals

• Registration Number: NCT01518504
• Lead Sponsor: Creighton University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of thoracic spine joint manipulation versus a sham intervention on active and passive shoulder flexion (elevation), external rotation, and internal rotation range of motion.

Detailed Description

Many individuals who have a primary complaint of shoulder pain often demonstrate deficits in glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mobility. Typically individuals will have limitations in shoulder range of motion, specifically, flexion (elevation) as well as external and internal rotation. Although the glenohumeral joint is the primary joint for shoulder motion adjacent joints such as the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, scapulothoracic, and thoracic spine also contribute to maximal shoulder motion. Limited shoulder motion may be a result of joint hypomobility, muscle inhibition, or pain. Typically interventions such as stretching and joint mobilization/manipulation are directed at the glenohumeral joint to improve shoulder motion, but little is known about interventions targeting adjacent sites which may also improve shoulder range of motion. This study will evaluate the effect of thoracic spine joint manipulation on active and passive shoulder range of motion.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-12
• Study First Submitted: 2011-12-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-01-25
• Study First Posted: 2012-01-26
• Primary Completion: 2012-06
• Study Completion: 2012-06
• Status Verified: 2012-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-11-19
• Last Update Posted: 2012-11-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults 19-45 years

Exclusion Criteria

• Individuals who are pregnant
• History of cervical or thoracic surgery
• Bone or joint disease
• Current infection or tumor
• Osteopenia/osteoporosis
• Spinal fracture
• Rheumatologic pathologies

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in Shoulder Range of motion	Single Study Visit	To determine changes in shoulder active and passive range of motion following one of two intervention protocols. Changes will be measured by examining shoulder range of motion in three directions: Shoulder flexion, internal rotation and external rotation.; We hypothesize that the use of a thoracic spine joint manipulation will increase shoulder range of motion in flexion (elevation) as well as external and internal rotation to a greater degree than a sham mobilization.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Creighton University; 🇺🇸 Omaha, Nebraska, United States