Clinical outcomes of a scapular-focused treatment in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective To systematically review the literature on the clinical outcomes of scapular-focused treatments in participants with subacromial pain syndrome (SPS). Design Systematic literature review. Studies were appraised by two reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, and a best-evidence synthesis was performed.

Exercise therapy may affect scapular position and motion in individuals with scapular dyskinesis: a systematic review of clinical trials

“…3 Scapula-oriented exercises are frequently recommended to people with SIS who are diagnosed with scapular muscle imbalance to correct the faulty scapular position and to improve function. 6,35 In this systematic review, 20 RCTs were evaluated to identify the effect of exercise therapy on scapular motion and position, pain, and disability in individuals with scapular dyskinesis. The results showed conflicting evidence 44 for the efficacy of therapeutic exercises on scapular position and motion.…”

“…1,8,9,11,19,35 Their results showed moderate to strong evidence that exercise therapy decreased pain and improved function at short-term follow-up in patients with SIS. 1,8,9,11,19,35 However, there is considerable uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of such approaches in restoring normal scapular kinematics. Bury et al, 5 in their systematic review, suggested that scapular muscle therapeutic exercise is effective in reducing shoulder pain in patients with rotator cuff disorders, whereas its effectiveness (from 4 included studies) on scapular position and motion remained unclear.…”

“…7,16 Thus, scapula-focused exercise therapy is considered an important physiotherapy intervention in individuals with SIS and scapular dyskinesis. 35 Several systematic reviews evaluated the effectiveness of exercise therapy on pain and function in individuals with SIS. 1,8,9,11,19,35 Their results showed moderate to strong evidence that exercise therapy decreased pain and improved function at short-term follow-up in patients with SIS.…”

“…35 Several systematic reviews evaluated the effectiveness of exercise therapy on pain and function in individuals with SIS. 1,8,9,11,19,35 Their results showed moderate to strong evidence that exercise therapy decreased pain and improved function at short-term follow-up in patients with SIS. 1,8,9,11,19,35 However, there is considerable uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of such approaches in restoring normal scapular kinematics.…”

Effectiveness of conservative interventions including exercise, manual therapy and medical management in adults with shoulder impingement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

“…15 38 Two reviews evaluated scapula-focused treatments, reporting moderate evidence, 36 and significant but clinically not relevant effects; 68 whereas we did not separately analyse the scapula-focused treatments.…”