Effects of Thoracic Mobilization on Shoulder Range of Motion
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Creighton University
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in Shoulder Range of motion
Study Overview
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Care Provider)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 19 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
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
Arms & Interventions
Thoracic Mobilization
The subject will be in a prone position and the physical therapist will first identify the upper thoracic spine region. The physical therapist will then cross his or her hands and place them on opposite sides of the spinous processes using the pisiforms as the contact area. The subject will be asked to exhale and upon exhalation the physical therapist will apply a small amplitude, quick thrust at end of range.
Intervention: Thoracic Mobilization (Other)
Sham
The subject will be in a prone position and the physical therapist will first identify the upper thoracic spine region. The physical therapist will then cross his or her hands and place them on opposite sides of the spinous processes using the pisiforms as the contact area. The subject will be asked to exhale and upon exhalation the physical therapist will not apply any other force than light hand contact.
Intervention: Sham (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in Shoulder Range of motion
Time Frame: 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.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported