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A Comparison of the Long Term Effects of the Traditional and Modified Posterior Shoulder Stretching Exercise in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Interventions
Other: Traditional static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching
Other: Control Group
Other: Modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching
Registration Number
NCT04660682
Lead Sponsor
Dokuz Eylul University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the long term effects of traditional and modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching training in individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) having glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Modified cross body posterior shoulder stretching group will receive static stretching in the modified cross-body stretching position and standard physiotherapy program. The traditional cross body posterior shoulder stretching group will receive static stretching and standard physiotherapy program. The Control group will receive only sham stretching and standard physiotherapy program.

Detailed Description

SIS is the most common cause of pain and shoulder dysfunction. The etiology of SIS depends on many factors including tightness of the posterior shoulder structures. Posterior shoulder tightness (PST) narrows the subacromial space and forces anterior-superior migration of the humeral head over the glenoid fossa and, it could cause limitation of the internal rotation (IR) and horizontal adduction range of motion (ROM). GIRD is known as loss of IR ROM in the glenohumeral joint. In the SIS, limitation IR ROM has been reported. Supraspinatus tendon thickness can change, subacromial space may become narrower and joint position sense (JPS) could be decreased in SIS patients. The effectiveness of traditional static cross body posterior shoulder stretching on various parameters such as shoulder rotational ROM or pain was studied and proved in the literature. Traditional static cross body posterior shoulder stretching could reduce subacromial symptoms and improve shoulder ROM with some disadvantages such as inadequate control of the scapula and glenohumeral rotation. To prevent accessory abduction of the scapula, restrict the external rotation ROM of the humerus and provide isolated posterior capsule stretching, Wilk et al. (2013) recommend the use of modified cross-body stretching for IR ROM increase. In the modified cross-body position, the patient is positioned in a more advantageous way. In the literature, although modified cross-body posterior stretching seems effective on SIS symptoms there is no research about the comparison of the long-term effects of the traditional and modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching exercises in individuals with SIS having GIRD. Therefore, whether modified stretching is superior to traditional stretching is not known. Our study aims to investigate and compare the long term effects of the traditional static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching exercise and modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching exercise in individuals with SIS having GIRD on shoulder IR ROM, GIRD, PST, pain, external rotation ROM, JPS, subacromial space, supraspinatus tendon thickness, posterior capsule thickness, the occupational ratio of the supraspinatus tendon in the subacromial space, muscle strength and shoulder function and disability level. Stretching groups will receive either traditional or modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching exercise and standard physiotherapy program. The Control group will receive only sham stretching and standard physiotherapy program. Standard physiotherapy program consists of electrotherapy, posture, proprioceptive, and strengthening exercises. The treatment program will be performed 5 days a week under the physiotherapist's supervision and 2 days a week as a home program for 8 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome
  • Glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion of the affected shoulder should be less than other shoulder and bilateral shoulder internal rotation range of motion difference should be ≥15 º
  • Pain with resisted arm elevation or external rotation as well as a minimum of 3 of 5 positive subacromial impingement syndrome tests, painful arc, pain or weakness with resisted external rotation, Neer, Hawkins and Jobe tests .
  • Ability to complete the entire study procedure
Exclusion Criteria
  • A 50% limitation of passive shoulder range of motion in >2 planes of motion
  • Pain >7/10
  • A history of fracture to the shoulder girdle
  • Systemic musculoskeletal disease
  • History of shoulder surgery,
  • Glenohumeral instability (positive apprehension, relocation or positive sulcus test) or positive findings for a full thickness rotator cuff tear (positive lag sign, positive drop arm test, or marked weakness with shoulder external rotation)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Traditional static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching groupTraditional static cross-body posterior shoulder stretchingThe participants will perform active-assistive static stretching in the traditional standing cross-body stretching position. Additionally, they will receive standard physiotherapy program.
Control GroupControl GroupThe participants in this group will receive sham stretching and standard physiotherapy.
Modified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretching groupModified static cross-body posterior shoulder stretchingThe participants will perform active-assistive static stretching in the modified cross-body stretching position. Additionally, they will receive standard physiotherapy program.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Shoulder internal rotation range of motionBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of shoulder internal rotation range of motion (with bubble inclinometer)

Glenohumeral internal rotation deficitBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (with bubble inclinometer)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Subacromial spaceBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of subacromial space at neutral (0 degree), 30, 45, and 60-degree scapular plane elevation(with Ultrasound)

Supraspinatus tendon thicknessBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of supraspinatus tendon thickness (with Ultrasound)

Posterior capsule thicknessBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of posterior capsule thickness (with Ultrasound)

Posterior shoulder tightnessBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of posterior shoulder tightness (with bubble inclinometer)

Isometric strengthBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of shoulder abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation isometric strength (in kg, with hand held dynamometer)

Upper extremity functionBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score

Pain intensityBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of visual analog scale score in activity and rest

Joint position senseBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of shoulder joint repositioning angle errors for external rotation 0-45 degree, for internal rotation 0-45 degree, for scapular plane elevation 0-100 degree (with bubble inclinometer)

Shoulder external rotation range of motionBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of shoulder external rotation range of motion (with bubble inclinometer)

Occupational ratio of the supraspinatus tendon in the acromial-humeral spaceBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of occupational rate of the supraspinatus tendon in the acromial-humeral space

Shoulder FunctionBaseline, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Change of Modified Constant-Murley Score

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dokuz Eylül University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department

🇹🇷

İzmir, Balçova, Turkey

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