Efficacy of Targeted Scapular Stabilization Exercise vs Conventional Exercise for Patients with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Lan Tang; Kang Chen; Lihua Huang; Juan Liang; Man Wang; Lanjuan He; Lintao Liu; Lixing Li; Yanhong Ma

doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002431

Efficacy of Targeted Scapular Stabilization Exercise vs Conventional Exercise for Patients with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Feb 20. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002431. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lan Tang¹, Kang Chen¹, Lihua Huang¹, Juan Liang¹, Man Wang², Lanjuan He³, Lintao Liu⁴, Lixing Li⁵, Yanhong Ma¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Campus, Shanghai, China.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Xuhui Dahua Hospital, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Fengxian Central Hospital, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai 8th People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 38376127
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002431

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of targeted scapular stabilization exercise in shoulder pain.

Design: This is an evaluator-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. The scapular stabilization exercise group (n = 45) received scapular stabilization exercise based on the type of scapular dyskinesis (SD) for 6 weeks; the conventional exercise group (n = 45) received pendulum, wall climbing and stick exercises for 6 weeks. Constant-Murley score (CMS), were numerical rating scale (NRS), range of motion (ROM), type of SD, lateral scapular sliding test (LSST), pectoralis minor index (PMI), scapular index (SI) and satisfaction were assessed at baseline, two, four, six-week treatment and a 6-week follow-up.

Results: After a 6-week intervention, the improvement of CMS was greater in the scapular stabilization exercise group than in the conventional exercise group, and improvement continued at the 6-week follow-up (F = 15.39, P < 0.001, Partial η2 = 0.17). The Results were also significant for NRS during activity, LSST, PMI, type of SD and satisfaction in favor of the scapular stabilization exercise group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Targeted scapular stabilization exercise is an effective intervention program that might be applied to the rehabilitation of shoulder pain.