Dynamic scapular recognition exercise improves scapular upward rotation and shoulder pain and disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Examine the ability of a dynamic scapular recognition exercise to improve scapular upward rotation and decrease shoulder pain and disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Methods

A test-retest randomized controlled study design was used. A total of sixty-six patients with unilateral adhesive capsulitis were equally divided into two groups. The study group received a dynamic scapular recognition exercise using a wireless biofeedback system, while the control group received placebo treatment in the form of active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises of the sound upper limb. A digital inclinometer was used to measure the scapular upward rotation and ROM of the shoulder joint, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was used to measure the shoulder pain and disability.

Results

Study results showed that after two weeks, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in scapular upward rotation and shoulder flexion and abduction (P < .05) and nonsignificant differences in shoulder external rotation and SPADI (P > .05). After two and six months, there were statistically significant differences between study and control groups in scapular upward rotation; shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation; and SPADI scores (P < .05).

Conclusion

This study showed that a dynamic scapular recognition exercise significantly improves scapular upward rotation and the ROM of shoulder flexion and abduction after two weeks. At two and six months, this exercise improves scapular upward rotation; ROM of shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation; and SPADI scores. These improvements persisted for six months after the performance of this exercise

KEYWORDS:

• Adhesive capsulitis
• dynamic scapular recognition
• scapular upward rotation
• shoulder pain and disability

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplementary data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ayman A. Mohamed

Ayman A. Mohamed is a Physical Therapist with a MSc and PhD’ in Physical Therapy. He has several publications in the effect of proprioceptive training for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. He has also presented numerous posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding proprioceptive training. He is a Lecturer at Faculty of Physical Therapy, lecturing on different Electrotherapy and Hydrotherapy modalities and techniques.

Yih-Kuen Jan

Yih-Kuen Jan is a Physical Therapist with a PhD’ in Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science & Technology and a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering. He has several publications in the mechanics of soft tissues in response to different degrees of compression, tension or temperatures in people with spinal cord injuries. He has also presented numerous presentations and posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding tissues biomechanics.  He is an Assistant Professor at Applied Health Sciences college, lecturing on the biomechanics in rehabilitation.

Wadida H. El Sayed

Wadida H. El Sayed is a Physical Therapist with a MSc and PhD’ in Physical Therapy. She has several publications in soft tissues mobilizations and manipulations techniques and modalities for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. She has also presented numerous posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding soft tissues mobilizations and manipulations techniques and modalities for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. She has also presented numerous presentations and posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding soft tissues mobilizations and manipulations techniques and modalities for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions.  She is a Professor at Faculty of Physical Therapy, lecturing on the soft tissue mobilizations and manipulations techniques and modalities for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions.

Mohamed E Abdel Wanis

Mohamed E Abdel Wanis is an Orthopedic Surgeon with an MD in Orthopedic Surgery. He has several publications in Spine Surgery. He has also presented numerous posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding Spine Surgeries. He is a Professor in Faculty of Medicine, lecturing on different techniques of spinal surgery.

Abeer A. Yamany

Abeer A. Yamany is a Physical Therapist with a MSc and PhD’ in Physical Therapy. She has several publications in Electrotherapy and Exercise Interventions for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. She has also presented numerous posters at national and international Physical Therapy conferences regarding Electrotherapy and Exercise Interventions for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions. She is an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Physical Therapy, lecturing on Electrotherapy and Exercise Interventions for several musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunctions.