Comparison of the effects of manual therapy and scapular stabilization exercises on pain, functional status, and quality of life in subacromial impingement syndrome
Authors: ASLANOV Nurali , ERSİN Aybüke 
Published: December 2023

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of manual therapy and scapular stabilization exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy on pain, functional status, and quality of life, and whether they are superior in individuals with subacromial impingement.

Methods: 30 patients between the ages of 25-65 who were diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome were included in the study. Individuals were randomized 1:1 to "conventional physiotherapy+scapular stabilization" and "conventional physiotherapy+manual therapy" groups. Individuals' age, gender, medication use, and presence of chronic disease were recorded. The presence of pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, shoulder range of motion was measured by a goniometer, quality of life was measured by Short Form-12 Quality of Life Survey, and functional status was evaluated with the Questionnaire Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems. The conventional physiotherapy program applied to both groups included electrotherapy, passive and active assisted range of motion exercises, and rotator cuff strengthening exercises. Both groups received a total of 12 sessions of physiotherapy, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks.

Results: 19 females and 11 males, participated in the study. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at baseline assessment for pain at rest, activity, and night (p=0,37; 0,39; 0,17, respectively), range of motion of shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and, external rotation (p=0,5; 0,1; 0,91; 0,9, respectively), Questionnaire Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems score (p: 0,09) and Short Form-12 Quality of Life Survey scores physical and mental component (p=0,23; 0,98, respectively). After treatment, both groups observed positive improvements in pain at rest, activity, and night (p=0,001), range of motion of shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and, external rotation (p=0,001), Questionnaire Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems score (p=0,001) and Short Form-12 Quality of Life Survey scores physical and mental component (Group1; p=0,001; 0,001, Group 2; p=0,001; 0,005, respectively). There was no statistically significant advantage among the treatment methods except for shoulder abduction and internal rotation range of motion parameters (p=0,04; 0,009, respectively).

Conclusion: When applied with traditional physiotherapy, both treatment methods provided significant improvements in pain, functional condition, quality of life, and joint motion clarity compared to before treatment. However, the methods applied are not superior to each other. It is important to choose the appropriate technique for the patient in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome, and it is useful to prepare personalized, combined programs. It is envisaged that researching more effective exercise methods for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome in the future will increase the usefulness of the treatment.