The Effects of Manual Therapy and Scapular Exercise for the Pectoralis Minor in Individuals With Shoulder Pain

The Effects of Manual Therapy and Scapular Exercise for the Pectoralis Minor in Individuals With Shoulder Pain

The Effects of Manual Therapy and Scapular Exercise for the Pectoralis Minor in Individuals With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is the third common problem, after problems of spine. Abnormal scapular kinematics, so called scapular dyskinesis, is believed to be associated with shoulder pain. Studies showed that individuals with shoulder problems demonstrate less upward rotation, posterior tilt and external rotation during shoulder movement. The shortness of the pectoralis minor (PM) is one of the factors leading to scapular dyskinesis. Short pectoralis minor has been shown to prevent scapula from tilting posterior and rotating externally during shoulder motion. The decreased scapular posterior tilt and external rotation may decrease subacromial space and result in impingement. However, although many assessment methods have been used to assess PM tightness or shortness, no study has tested the validity of these testing methods. Moreover, although stretching exercises for PM have been shown to increase the PM length, previous studies found that PM stretching exercises did not restore scapular kinematics and did not further decrease pain and improve function. Shoulder pain and discomfort has also been reported during stretching. Therefore, rather than stretching exercise, other types of treatment that can specifically increase the PM length and restore scapular kinematics may be needed. Manual therapy could specifically increase the flexibility of PM, and scapular orientation exercises could improve scapular kinematics. These types of treatment may be better options. However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated whether manual therapy combined with scapular orientation exercises could improve scapular kinematics, pain and function. Therefore, the first part of this study is to investigate which tests for length or tightness of PM can predict the scapular dyskinesis. The second part of the study is to investigate the effects of manual therapy and scapular orientation training on PM length, scapular kinematics, pain, and function in subjects with shoulder pain. In the first part of the study, 67 healthy subjects will be recruited. In the second part, 62 patients with shoulder pain will be recruited and randomized into either a PM treatment group or a control group. While no treatment will be provided for the healthy subjects in the first part, subjects with shoulder pain in the second part will receive 12 sessions of treatment in 4-6weeks, with 30-40 minutes per session. Patients in the control group will receive general shoulder strengthening exercise, while patients in the PM treatment group will have additional manual therapy and scapular orientation exercise. The measures include tests of PM length, scapular kinematics in the first and second parts, and pain and shoulder disability were also additionally assessed in the second part.

The participants in pectoralis minor group will received manual therapy for pectoralis minor by investigators, the technique including stretch and soft tissue mobilization. The participants asked to perform the scapular control exercise and shoulder strength exercise. Participants will be correct scapular resting position and then do elevation in scapular plane.Four exercises for shoulder strength will do shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation with thera-band.

The participants in the scapular strengthening group will be asked to do four exercises for shoulder strength, including shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation with thera-band.

Healthy participants will be recruited. No Intervention will be provided. The correlation between measures of pectoralis minor length and scapular kinematics will be assessed. Measurement will be the same as pectoralis minor intervention group and shoulder strengthening group

The subjects in pectoralis minor group will received manual therapy for pectoralis minor by physical therapist, the technique including stretch and soft tissue mobilization. The subjects asked to perform the scapular control exercise and shoulder strength exercise.Subjects will be correct scapular resting position and then do elevation in scapular plane.Four exercises for shoulder strength will do shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation with thera-band.

The subjects in the scapular strengthening group will be asked to do four exercises for shoulder strength, including shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation with thera-band.

Measurement of pectoralis minor length: distance between coracoid process and fourth rib taken with a tape measure on resting position.

The pectoralis minor length was divided by the participant's height and multiplied by 100 to calculate the pectoralis minor index

Pressed the coracoid process of the subjects to make the scapula flat on the treatment bed.If flat the bed for negative,unable to flat the bed for positive.

Subjects will forward flexion 30 degrees,and pressed the coracoid process.If physical therapist felt tightness for positive.

Measured the vertical distance between the posterior acromion and the treatment bed,then divided by thorax thickness and multiplied by 100.

Scapular kinematics, including anterior/posterior tilt, upward/downward rotation, and internal/external rotation in scapula plan elevation at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°, will be calculated and will be described with degree (°).

Identify 3 important activities that they were unable to perform. A minimum score of 0 is unable to engage in these activities, and a maximum score of 10 can still perform these activities as efficiently as before without shoulder pain.

Independently score self-perceived improvement in a patient. A minimum score of -5 is the worse situation compared to before treatment. Compared to before treatment, a score of 0 means no change.Compared to before treatment, a score of 5 means full recovery.

Inclusion Criteria(patients with shoulder pain) : the patients with shoulder pain from 20 - 60 years old Active arm elevation close to 150 degrees Shoulder pain at least 3 months Inclusion Criteria (healthy people) : the people from 20 - 40 years old no any symptoms or injuries on shoulder one year ago Exclusion Criteria: Adhesive capsulitis Pathologies of cervical origin History of acute trauma, previous surgery, or fracture in the affected shoulder Corticoid injection in the last 3 months Platelet Rich Plasma injection in the last 1 year Other manual and exercise physical therapy in the last 6 weeks Anyone suffering from neurological diseases and nerve damage Vulnerable subjects