Resistance Training for Patients With Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Shoulder Symptoms: a Feasibility Study

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) is a recent diagnosis that covers joint hypermobility with one or more secondary symptomatic musculoskeletal manifestations. Current clinical management of this population with shoulder symptoms is a non-standardized combination of physiotherapy modalities including exercise prescription. There is evidence suggesting that progressive heavy resistance training increases muscle strength and tendon stiffness, which may be valuable for treatment of this population.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of progressive heavy shoulder resistance training (PHSRT) for adults with HSD and shoulder symptoms.

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) is a recent diagnosis that covers joint hypermobility with one or more secondary symptomatic musculoskeletal manifestations. Current clinical management of this population with shoulder symptoms is a non-standardized combination of physiotherapy modalities including exercise prescription. There is evidence suggesting that progressive heavy resistance training increases muscle strength and tendon stiffness, which may be valuable for treatment of this population.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of progressive heavy shoulder resistance training (PHSRT) for adults with HSD and shoulder symptoms before safely performing a definitive RCT-study in a large cohort. The objectives are to address whether PHSRT is feasible regarding i) patient recruitment and retention, ii) adherence to exercise protocol and its progression levels, iii) completion of objective outcome measures, and iv) registering potential flare up in shoulder symptoms.

Study progression criteria are based on a traffic light system of green (go), amber (amend) and red (stop). Results of these progression criteria will be evaluated by the investigator group, who will recommend amendments that need to be made before proceeding with the definitive RCT.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women aged 18 - 65
* Generalized HSD (G-HSD) defined with Beighton score cut-off ≥ 5 for women up to the age of 50 years and ≥ 4 for those above 50 years and all men \[21, 22\] or historical HSD (H-HSD) if the Beighton score was 1 point below the age and sex-specific cut-off AND the five-part questionnaire (5PQ) was positive (= at least two positive items). In patients with acquired joint limitations (past surgery, wheelchair, amputations) affecting the Beighton score calculation, the assessment of GJH only included a positive 5 part-questionnaire.
* Present with one or more secondary symptomatic musculoskeletal manifestations, defined as either musculoskeletal pain in minimum one shoulder for at least three months or recurrent joint dislocations or joint instability without a reported history of trauma defined as: a) minimum three atraumatic dislocations in same shoulder or minimum two atraumatic dislocations in two different joints (minimum one in the shoulder) occurring at different times, or b) medical confirmation of joint instability in minimum two joints (minimum one in the shoulder) not related to trauma.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinically suspected referred pain from the cervical spine
* Systemic rheumatic diseases (e.g. Marfans, Stickler's or Loeys Dietz syndromes)
* Neurological diseases
* Pregnancy or childbirth within the latest year
* Shoulder surgery within the past year
* Inability to speak and understand Danish.