The effect of specific exercises based on movement fault control on pain intensity and disability in subjects with chronic subacromial pain syndrome: A pilot study

Research Objectives: To evaluate the effect of specific exercises based on movement fault control on pain intensity and disability in subjects with chronic subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS).

Design: Randomized controlled trial

Setting: A Rehabilitation clinic

Participants: Twenty patients with shoulder pain for at least 6 months, diagnosed with subacromial pain syndrome were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Specific exercises based on movement fault control (intervention group) and traditional scapular stabilization exercise (control group).

Interventions: All patients were be evaluated about movement faults during shoulder movements, and then Group 1 were be trained to dissociate and control movement faults. Group 2 were received traditional scapular stabilization exercises.

Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes included pain intensity at rest and during the arm raising, measured using the visual analog scale at baseline, after 8 sessions, and 1-month post-treatment. Disability, a secondary outcome, was assessed using the SPADI and DASH questionnaires at baseline and 1-month post-treatment.

Results: The intervention group (n=10) and control group (n=10) showed similar baseline characteristics (mean=97.93, SD=11.01). At the last session, pain intensity at rest and during raising arm was significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group (pain at rest: -1.15 [-2.11 to -. 160]) (pain during raising arm: - .845 [-1.77 to -. 10]) by an amount consistent with clinically meaningful improvement. At one month follow-up, pain intensity and disability were significantly improved in the intervention group (pain at rest: -1.06 [-2.02 to -. 085]), (pain during raising arm: -1.32 [-2.30 to -. 303]), (disability on SPADI: -.87 [-1.80 to -. 086]), (disability on DASH: -1.01 [-1.96 to -. 04]).

Conclusions: Movement fault control exercises reduced pain intensity and disability in subjects with chronic SAPS.

Author(s) Disclosures: None