Objective To evaluate if a specific exercise strategy, targeting the rotator cuff and scapula stabilisers, improves shoulder function and pain more than unspecific exercises in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, thereby decreasing the need for arthroscopic subacromial decompression.Design Randomised, participant and single assessor blinded, controlled study.

Different exercise programmes are used as first line treatment in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, but conclusive evidence to support the efficacy for these programmes is lacking. This specific exercise strategy proved effective in improving shoulder function and pain in patients in whom earlier conservative treatment had failed.

48Purpose: Shoulder pain is a common disorder. Despite growing evidence of the importance of 49 physiotherapy, in particular active exercise therapy, little data is available to guide treatment. 50The aim of this project was to contribute to the development of an internationally accepted 51 assessment and treatment algorithm for patients with shoulder pain.

No abstract