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.
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 Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
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.
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.
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Changes in Shoulder Range of motion
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.
Time frame: Single Study Visit
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