Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercise Training on Scapular Kinematics, Disability, and Pain in Subacromial Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of 2 different exercise programs on 3-dimensional scapular kinematics, disability, and pain in participants with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Outpatient clinic and research laboratory.
Participants: Participants who were diagnosed with SIS and who also exhibited scapular dyskinesis (N=30).
Interventions: The participants were randomized in 2 different exercise groups: (1) shoulder girdle stretching and strengthening with additional scapular stabilization exercises based on a kinetic chain approach (intervention group), and (2) shoulder girdle stretching and strengthening exercises only (control group).
Main Outcome Measures: Three-dimensional scapular kinematics, self-reported shoulder pain, and disability were evaluated at baseline, after 6 weeks of training, and after 12 weeks of training.
Results: Significant differences were observed between the control and intervention groups in external rotation and posterior tilt after 6 weeks of training and in external rotation, posterior tilt, and upward rotation after 12 weeks of training. All groups showed improvement in self-reported pain and disability scores; however, there were no significant differences between the groups.
Conclusions: Progressive exercise training independent from specific scapular stabilization exercises provides decreased disability and pain severity in impingement syndrome.
(Copyright © 2017 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)