Rotator cuff impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation, with manual therapy frequently employed in its management. This study aimed to investigate the additional effects of incorporating breathing exercises into manual therapy on pain and function.
Rotator cuff impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation, with manual therapy frequently employed in its management. This study aimed to investigate the additional effects of incorporating breathing exercises into manual therapy on pain and function. The study was conducted with fifty-two individuals aged 18-65 diagnosed with rotator cuff impingement syndrome. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were randomly and equally assigned to two groups. Participants in the control group received the cold pack, TENS, and conventional exercise program. Participants in the intervention group received manual therapy combined with respiratory exercises in addition to this therapy program. All participants received therapy three times a week for a total of six weeks. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), shoulder range of motion (ROM) assessments, and a spirometer were used for evaluation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
52
Conventional therapy contains TENS and physiotherapist-supervised exercise program. These exercises are Wand exercises (15 repetitions each), codman exercises (1 minute in each direction), shoulder wheel exercises (5 minutes total), finger ladder exercises (10 repetitions), isometric exercises (10 repetitions each), capsular stretching exercises (10 repetitions each), pectoral muscle stretching and stabilization exercises (10 repetitions), shoulder stabilization exercises (5 minutes total), and strengthening exercises for the shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, adductor, internal rotator, and external rotator muscles (15 repetitions each). In addition to them, manual therapy were applied to the shoulder region.
In addition to the treatment program of Group I, breathing exercises were added. Each manual therapy technique was performed with 10 repetitions per participant. Similarly, participants were instructed to perform each breathing exercise with 10 repetitions. They were also asked to continue the breathing exercises at home, performing them three times a day with 10 repetitions per session for a duration of six weeks.
Merve Yilmaz Menek
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain evaluation
Pain intensity was assesed with visual anaolg scale (VAS) that is a tool commonly used to assess the intensity of musculoskeletal pain. The VAS was used to evaluate the level of shoulder pain experienced by participants at rest, and during activity. Participants were asked to rate their pain intensity on a scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst possible pain." The participants' responses were recorded in the case report forms
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Disability
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is a self-reported, shoulder specific questionnaire developed to assess pain intensity and disability levels in individuals with musculoskeletal shoulder pain.The disability subscale includes eight items, where patients rate the difficulty, they experienced while performing daily activities in the past week, using a scale from 0 (no difficulty) to 10 (so difficult that assistance is required). The total SPADI score was calculated by converting the total raw score into a percentage. The final score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater levels of pain and disability
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Range of motion evaluation
A universal goniometer was used to measure the shoulder joint's ROM in flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Measurements were recorded in degrees. Each movement was performed three times, and the average of these three measurements was used for analysis. After each measurement, the participant returned their arm to the neutral position before the next repetition. The normal ROM values for the shoulder joint are as follows: 0-180° for flexion and abduction, 0-45° for extension and adduction, and 0-90° for internal and external rotation
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pulmonary system evaluation
A firstMed SP-10 electronic handheld spirometer was used to evaluate respiratory function. Each participant was instructed to place a disposable mouthpiece between their lips and teeth, ensuring no air escaped. They were then encouraged to perform a rapid and deep inspiration followed immediately by a forceful and complete expiration. Participants were expected to exhale for at least 6 seconds. The test was terminated once adequate expiration was achieved. Among at least three properly performed consecutive trials, the highest value was recorded
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Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks