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Shoulder and scapular function before and after a scapular therapeutic exercise program for chronic shoulder pain and scapular dyskinesis: A preāpost single-group study
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Scapular adaptations have been associated with shoulder pain. However, conflicting findings have been reported after scapular-focused interventions. The present study aims to evaluate scapula-related outcomes before and after a scapular therapeutic exercise program. Eighteen adult volunteers with chronic shoulder pain participated in an 8-week scapular therapeutic exercise program that was personalized according to their pain condition and the presence of scapular dyskinesis. This program included preparation and warm-up, scapular neuromotor control, and strengthening and stretching exercises. Both self-reported (shoulder pain and function, psychosocial factors, and self-impression of change) and performance-based outcomes (scapular muscular stiffness and activity level, tridimensional motion, rhythm, and movement quality, measured while participants drank a bottle of water) were used for analysis. After the intervention, participants presented reduced shoulder pain (p < 0.0001) and pain catastrophizing (p = 0.004) and increased shoulder function (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the participants presented changes in scapular winging (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.043), increased scapular downward rotation (p < 0.0001) and depression (p = 0.038), and decreased global movement smoothness (p = 0.003). These were associated with changes in serratus anterior activity (p = 0.016 to p = 0.035), decreased middle (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.002) and lower trapezius (p < 0.0001) and levator scapulae (p = 0.048) activity levels, and decreased middle trapezius muscle stiffness (p = 0.014). Patientsā self-perception of change was rated favorably. After a scapular therapeutic exercise program, changes were observed in both self-reported and performance-based outcomes. These results need to be confirmed by a randomized controlled trial.
Description
Keywords
Biomechanical phenomena Pain Rehabilitation Scapula Superficial back muscles
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Melo, A. S. C., Soares, A. L., Castro, C., Matias, R., Cruz, E. B., Vilas-Boas, J. P., & Sousa, A. S. P. (2025). Shoulder and Scapular Function Before and After a Scapular Therapeutic Exercise Program for Chronic Shoulder Pain and Scapular Dyskinesis: A PreāPost Single-Group Study. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 15(7), 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15070285
Publisher
MDPI