Effect of Adding Neural Mobilization Techniques to the Conventional Physical Therapy Program in Treating Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, MONA M. IBRAHIM, SALWA F. ABD EL MAJEED and MOHAMMED M.A. HEGAZY
Abstract
Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common disorder of the shoulder pain, accounting for 44%-65% of all complaints of shoulder pain. It is charac-terized by pain and functional restrictions, mostly during overhead activities. Aim of Study: To determine the efficacy of adding neural mobilization techniques (NMTs) to conventional physical therapy program on scapular upward rotation and ratio of upper trapezius and serratus anterior (UT/SA) isometric muscle strength in treating SIS. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with unilateral SIS of both genders were selected, their ages ranged from 20 to 40 years (Mean ± SD was 27.06±4.57, 26.6±5.84. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A received conventional physical therapy program and group B received NMTs for median, ulnar and radial nerves beside conventional physical therapy program. Treatment program was performed for four weeks (3 sessions/week). All patients were assessed pre and post treatment for scapular upward rotation by using baseline bubble inclinometer and UT/SA ratio by using hand held dynamometer (HHD). Results: There were no significant differences in both scapular upward rotation and UT/SA ratio between groups pretreatment (p=0.66, 0.64) and post treatment (p=0.33, 0.51), but there was a significant increase in scapular upward rotation and significant decrease in UT/SA ratio within groups (p=0.001 for both groups). Conclusions: Neural mobilization techniques in addition to conventional physical therapy program had no significant effect on scapular kinematics in patients with SIS.