Effects of a Pectoralis Minor Muscle Stretching Protocol

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of a stretching protocol for the pectoralis minor muscle on its resting length and on the 3D kinematics of the scapula during arm flexion in asymptomatic subjects and patients with impingement syndrome with shortened pectoralis minor.

Detailed Description
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Fifty subjects (25 symptomatic and 25 asymptomatic for shoulder pain) will be recruited. All of them will be initially assessed twice with one week between the assessments. On each day, they will complete two questionnaires (DASH and SPADI) to assess pain and shoulder function. The resting length of the pectoralis minor muscle and scapular kinematics data during arm flexion will also be measured using an electromagnetic tracking system. Initially, the resting length of the pectoralis minor will be measured, and then 3 repetitions of arm elevation in the sagittal plane will be completed. The stretching protocol will be performed daily for 6 weeks. The stretching will be performed with the subject standing, with 90° of arm abduction and 90° of elbow flexion and palm on a flat planar surface. The subject then will place the leg opposite to the flat surface in front of the other with slight knee flexion and tilt the trunk forward like a rigid block and rotate it slightly increasing the horizontal abduction at the shoulder. This procedure will be done 4 times for 1 min and 30s interval between repetitions. After the 6 weeks, the subject will have the same variables from the initial assessments reassessed. For the questionnaires and length of pectoralis minor a two-way ANOVA for repeated measures will be used to check the main effects of group and evaluation and whether there is interaction between them. For scapular internal/external rotation, upward/downward rotation, and tilt anterior/posterior a three-way ANOVA for repeated measures will use to analyze the main effects of group (symptomatic and asymptomatic), elevation angle of the arm (30°, 60°, 90° and 120°) and evaluation (1, 2 and 3) and whether there is evaluation x group x angle interaction. A p value less than 0.05 will be considered significant.

Official Title
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Phase 4 Effects of a Stretching Protocol for the Pectoralis Minor Muscle on This Resting Length and on the 3D Kinematics of the Scapula During Arm Flexion in Asymptomatic Subjects and Patients With Impingement Syndrome

Conditions
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Shoulder Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Stretching-Asymptomatic subjects
* Procedure: Stretching-Subjects with shoulder pain


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Asymptomatic subjects were included if they did not have any positive test for SIS. The subjects with shoulder pain were included if: they had history of shoulder, at least one week; 18 - 45 years; range of motion > 150° evaluated with digital inclinometer; one or more impingement tests positive - Neer (Neer, 1972), Hawkins (Hawkins and Kennedy, 1980) and Jobe (Jobe and Moynes, 1982) - associated with painful arc during arm elevation, or during external rotation with 90° of arm elevation; Individuals from both groups also had to present with shortened PM muscle length. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals from both groups were excluded if they: BMI (body mass index) > 28kg/m2; irradiated shoulder pain; scoliosis; history of shoulder pain with beginning traumatic; history of fracture or surgery in upper limb and rotator cuff; systemic illnesses; tape allergy; were pregnant; physiotherapy at least 6 months.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Stretching-Asymptomatic subjects<br>The stretching will be performed with the subject standing, with 90° of arm abduction and 90° of elbow flexion and palm on a flat planar surface. The subject then will place the leg opposite to the flat surface in front of the other with slight knee flexion and tilt the trunk forward like a rigid block and rotate it slightly increasing the horizontal abduction at the shoulder. This procedure will be done 4 times for 1 min and 30s interval between repetitions. | Procedure: Stretching-Asymptomatic subjects<br>* The stretching will be performed with the subject standing, with 90° of arm abduction and 90° of elbow flexion and palm on a flat planar surface. The subject then will place the leg opposite to the flat surface in front of the other with slight knee flexion and tilt the trunk forward like a rigid block and rotate it slightly increasing the horizontal abduction at the shoulder. This procedure will be done 4 times for 1 min and 30s interval between repetitions.<br>|
| Experimental: Stretching-Subjects with shoulder pain<br>The stretching will be performed with the subject standing, with 90° of arm abduction and 90° of elbow flexion and palm on a flat planar surface. The subject then will place the leg opposite to the flat surface in front of the other with slight knee flexion and tilt the trunk forward like a rigid block and rotate it slightly increasing the horizontal abduction at the shoulder. This procedure will be done 4 times for 1 min and 30s interval between repetitions. | Procedure: Stretching-Subjects with shoulder pain<br>* The stretching will be performed with the subject standing, with 90° of arm abduction and 90° of elbow flexion and palm on a flat planar surface. The subject then will place the leg opposite to the flat surface in front of the other with slight knee flexion and tilt the trunk forward like a rigid block and rotate it slightly increasing the horizontal abduction at the shoulder. This procedure will be done 4 times for 1 min and 30s interval between repetitions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pectoralis Minor Length After Pectoralis Minor Stretching Protocol | The change of the pectoralis minor muscle will be evaluated with a tape measure and electromagnetic device. The length of the muscle will be recorded in centimeters. | 6 weeks after stretching | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scapular Kinematics After Pectoralis Minor Stretching Protocol | The scapular kinematics will be evaluated with electromagnetic device. The changes in the scapular kinematics will be described in degrees. | 6 weeks of stretching | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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shoulder, pectoralis minor, stretching, scapular kinematics