Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine20 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. There are studies that look at the clinical effects of the technique and/or compare it to other techniques; however, measuring the extent to which Spencer's technique, or this modified technique, improves tissue stiffness and blood flow has never been written in the literature. This study will serve as a proof of concept that this technique improves tissue stiffness, blood flow, and mobility of the shoulder join as well as the nearby areas. Using ultrasound, the investigators will measure tissue stiffness and blood flow and will analyze the mobility of the shoulder joint using a Vicon motion capture system.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Shoulder

Interventions

Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: • male and female subjects 18-50 years old Exclusion Criteria: * prior shoulder surgery or injury to the reported dominant throwing arm * shoulder pain in the reported dominant throwing arm within the last 6 months * diagnosis cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck * connective tissue or muscle disorders * known pregnancy * tobacco use * known diabetes or prediabetes * allergy to ultrasound gel (propylene glycol)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Muscle Stiffness

Using Shear Wave Elastography to measure muscle stiffness (kPa) of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.

Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

Shoulder Mobility

Using Vicon motion capture system to calculate landmark coordinates and using morphometric canonical variate analysis to analyze mobility changes.

Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

Microvascular/capillary blood flow

Using ultrasound to capture blood flow of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.

Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

Subjective Shoulder Stiffness (Visual Analogue Scale)

Using Visual Analogue scale to measure participant's subjective measure of shoulder stiffness. Scores range from 0 to 10, with 0 being "Not stiff at all" and 10 being "Very stiff."

Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 2

Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Contacts