Effects of strengthening and stretching exercises applied during working hours on pain and physical impairment in workers with subacromial impingement syndrome

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program performed during working hours on function and pain in workers with subacromial impingement syndrome. Fourteen male workers (31.93 AE 5.86 years) in the school supply industry were assessed. The duration of their shoulder pain was 28.50 AE 33.64 months, and their amount of time in this industry was 9.07 AE 3.68 years. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire evaluated function of the upper limbs. The McGill Pain Questionnaire quantified the pain by the number of words chosen and the pain rating index (PRI). Subjects completed an 8-week rehabilitation program, twice a week, consisting of cryotherapy, strengthening, and stretching exercises. Subjects' outcome data were collected pre-and post-intervention. The results showed that DASH scores improved (po0.05) and the number of words chosen and PRI decreased (po0.05) on the McGill Pain Questionnaire at post-intervention. Results should be interpreted cautiously, considering the lack of a control group in the investigation. In conclusion, it is suggested that an intervention program consisting of cryotherapy, strengthening, and stretching applied during working hours and twice a week may be effective to decrease pain and physical impairment in male workers with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Eccentric training for shoulder abductors improves pain, function and isokinetic performance in subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome: a case series

“…The literature supports the strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles and the stretching of the soft tissue of the shoulder 6,9,10 . Good clinical results of eccentric training for the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles 11 and for the rotator cuff 12 were demonstrated in subjects with painful SIS.…”

“…Ultrasonography improves the differential diagnosis for shoulder pain as it has high sensitivity (98.1%) for identifying rotator cuff tears 24 . Other studies also used ultrasonography in the evaluation of patients with SIS 6,11,25 .…”

“…The maximum score of the questionnaire is 100, which indicates the worst possible condition 29 . This questionnaire was previously used to assess the effectiveness of an intervention program in subjects with SIS 6,30 and has been shown to be a reliable, valid and responsive measure 31,32 .…”

“…The eccentric training for the shoulder abductors was performed with maximal strength in all contractions for 6 consecutive weeks, 2 days/ week, on alternate days. Studies have shown positive effects of a twice-week intervention 5,6 . The training was performed bilaterally in the isokinetic dynamometer at 60 o /s 38 and the range of motion trained was 60° (ranging from 80° to 20°).…”

“…Conservative treatments have been proposed for people with SIS [5][6][7][8][9] . The literature supports the strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles and the stretching of the soft tissue of the shoulder 6,9,10 .…”