The effects of wall slide and sling slide exercises on scapular alignment and pain in subjects with scapular downward rotation

Comparison of Outcomes of Physical Therapy Exercises Combined with Either a Video-Based Smartphone Application System or a Written Exercise Program Handout in 34 Patients with Non-Specific Neck Pain

BACKGROUND An exercise program was developed using risk factors for non-specific neck pain. This study aimed to compare the effects video-based versus image- and text-based remote home training performed using this exercise program in patients with non-specific neck pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS Among the 37 patients with non-specific neck pain recruited, 34 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomized into the experimental (n=17) and control (n=17) groups. The patients in the experimental group performed exercises using a video-based application system, whereas those in the control group performed exercises using an image- and text-based printout. In-home training was implemented for 6 weeks in both groups. The neck pain intensity, disability index, active range of motion (aROM), forward head posture (FHP), and compensatory neck flexion were measured before and after the intervention. The within-group and between-group differences were analyzed at the end of the interventions. RESULTS Improvements in pain intensity, cervical ROM, disability index, FHP, and compensatory neck flexion were observed after in-home training in the experimental group (P.05). Between-group comparison revealed that the experimental group exhibited greater improvement in pain intensity, cervical ROM, and FHP than the control group (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that the video-based home exercise program improved pain intensity, aROM, neck disability index, FHP, and compensatory neck flexion in patients with non-specific neck pain.

Training-induced hypoalgesia and its potential underlying mechanisms

It is well-established that a single bout of exercise can reduce pain sensitivity (i.e., exercise-induced hypoalgesia) in healthy individuals. However, exercise-induced hypoalgesia is often impaired in individuals with chronic pain. This might suggest that repeated bouts of exercise (i.e., exercise training) are needed in order to induce a reduction in pain sensitivity (i.e., training-induced hypoalgesia) among individuals with chronic pain, given that a single bout of exercise seems to be insufficient to alter pain. However, the effect of repeated bouts of exercise on pain sensitivity and its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the existing literature on training-induced hypoalgesia, as well as discuss potential mechanisms of training-induced hypoalgesia and offer considerations for future research. Existing literature suggests that training interventions may induce hypoalgesic adaptations potentially driven by central nervous system and immune system factors. However, the limited number of randomized controlled trials available, along with the lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms, provides a rationale for future research.

Comparing the Effects of SUREE Programs on People With Scapular Downward Rotation Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

CONTEXT

Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is an impaired alignment that causes shoulder and neck pain. Interventions may lead to the reduction of pain intensity and joint position error (JPE) and improved range of motion (ROM).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of 6-week Scapular Upward Rotation and Elevation Exercises (SUREE) with and without visual feedback on pain, ROM, and JPE in people with SDRS.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized control trial.

SETTING

Institutional practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-two young and active subjects (22.61 [1.80] y; 27 males and 15 females) with unilateral SDRS randomly assigned into 3 groups (2 intervention groups and 1 control group).

INTERVENTIONS

SUREE without and with visual feedback programs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pain, neck-flexion and rotation ROMs, and JPE were measured using visual analog scale (score), double inclinometer method, universal goniometer method (degrees), and a dual digital inclinometer (degrees), respectively, before and after interventions.

RESULTS

The results showed statistically significant changes within the experimental groups in all variables except for the neck rotation ROM in the SUREE intervention without visual feedback (P < .05). However, there were no changes in the control group before and after the interventions in all dependent variables (P < .05). Also, there were no significant differences between both experimental groups concerning all dependent variables except for the rotation ROM (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the 6-week SUREE with and without visual feedback programs result in decreased neck pain and improved flexion ROM and JPE during active neck motions in subjects with unilateral SDRS. However, the 6-week SUREE with visual feedback may improve the neck rotation ROM in subjects with unilateral SDRS. However, further studies are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Comparison of the effects of sensorimotor training programs on pain, electromyography and kinematics in patients with scapular downward rotation syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Comparison of the effects of six weeks sensorimotor and sensorimotor with passive interventions programs on pain, electromyography (EMG) and kinematics in patients with scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS).

DESIGN

Randomized Controlled Trial.

SETTING

Institutional practice.

PARTICIPANTS

140 active subjects with unilateral SDRS were randomized to three groups. Group one received sensorimotor (n = 46), group two received sensorimotor with passive interventions (n = 48), and group three received active self-exercise as a control group (n = 46). Pain, EMG of the levator scapula (LS), upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA), as well as kinematics were measured at the baseline and after the interventions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome: Pain - Secondary outcomes: EMG and kinematics.

RESULTS

There were significant between-group differences between intervention groups one and two in pain, LS and SA onset activation favoring group two and LS muscle activity favoring group one. There were significant within-group changes in almost all dependent variables except LT muscle onset activation in both groups one and two.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of passive interventions on the scapula and neck may be superior to conservative training alone on the scapula and neck for improving neck pain, EMG and kinematics in participants with SDRS.