Characteristics of included studies
| Author, year and design | Participant characteristics | Interventions | Outcome measures | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baskurt et al,26 RCT | n=40; 13m, 27f Age:
| Exercise: flexibility and strengthening exercises and scapular stabilisation exercises Control: flexibility and strengthening exercises Flexibility exercises: anterior, posterior and inferior capsule stretching, forward flexion ROM, abd ROM, IR stretching. Strengthening exercises: subscap, infra, supra, anterior part of deltoid and posterior part of deltoid. Scapular stabilisation exercises: scapular PNF exercises, scapular clock exercise, standing weight shift, double arm balancing, scapular depression, wall push up, wall slide exercises Frequency: each exercise 3 sets, 3/week for 6 weeks | Pain (VAS) Shoulder ROM: flexion, abd, IR (90°), ER (90°) (goniometer) Muscle strength: Supra, Subscap, Infra, LT, MT, UT, SA (HHD in kg) Scapular motion: LSST in neutral position, 45° abd, 90° abd (cm) Follow-up: baseline and 6 weeks | Strength of scapular muscles (LT, MT, UT, SA) (p<0.05)* Exercise: +1.05 (LT); +1.15 (MT); +1.28 (UT); +1.40 (SA) Control: +0.52 (LT); +0.32 (MT); +0.44 (UT); +0.52 (SA) LSST (p=0.00)* Exercise: −0.52 cm (neutral position); −0.55 cm (45° abd); −0.58 cm (90° abd) Control: −0.07 cm (neutral position); −0.03 cm (45° abd); 0.00 cm (90° abd) No differences for pain, shoulder ROM and strength of the RC muscles. |
| Hsu et al,27 cross-over design | n=17; Age: 23±2.8
| Participants received elastic taping and placebo taping over the lower trapezius muscle in randomised order.Elastic tape: Y-shaped Kinesio tape, applied with minimal tension Placebo tape: Y-shaped 3 M Micropore tape without any stretch force Frequency: 2 taping sessions, separated by at least 3 days. | Muscle strength: LT (HHD in lb)Scapular motion: upward rotation and posterior tilt during humeral elevation Follow-up: before and immediately after taping application | Posterior tilt (p<0.05)* Elastic tape: +0.39° (at 30°); +0.44° (at 60°) Placebo tape: −0.71° (at 30°); −0.75° (at 60°) No differences for LT muscle strength and scapular upward rotation. |
| Miller et al,28 pilot RCT | n=22; 10m, 12f Age (range):
| Exercise: routine physiotherapy treatment and scapular taping Control: routine physiotherapy treatment Scapular taping: two straps of adhesive tape Routine physiotherapy treatment: soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation techniques and exercise (scapula and RC stabilisation and stretching). Frequency: taping 3/week for the first 2 weeks; routine physiotherapy was received for 6 weeks. | Pain during flexion and abd (VAS) Pain and function (SPADI)Shoulder ROM: flexion and abd (inclinometer) Follow-up: baseline, 2 and 6 weeks | No significant differences for pain, function and shoulder ROM. |
| Struyf et al,29 RCT | n=22; 10m, 12f Age:
| Exercise: scapular-oriented treatment, protocol A Control: exercise therapy and manual therapy, protocol B Protocol A: passive manual scapular mobilisation; stretching exercises for the levator scapulae, rhomboids muscles and pectoralis minor muscle; and scapular motor control training (including training of the trapezius and SA muscles). Home exercises: stretching, the SOE and training of the trapezius and SA. Protocol B: eccentric muscle strength training of the RC muscles (flexion, extension, IR, ER), passive glenohumeral mobilisation, friction massage therapy & ultrasound therapy in the subacromial region. Home exercises: eccentric muscle strength training of the RC. Frequency: 9 sessions of 30 min, 1–3/week. | Pain at rest and during movement (VAS) Pain during impingement screening (VNRS) Function (SDQ) Muscle strength: elevation (HHD in N) Scapular motion: acromial distance index (cm); pectoralis muscle length index (cm) and scapular upward rotation (inclinometer) Follow-up: baseline, immediately after treatment (9 sessions) and 3 months | Pain during movement (p=0.046)* Exercise: −2.7 Control: −1.2 Pain during the Neer test (p=0.022)* Exercise: −2.2 Control: +0.9 Function (p=0.025)* Exercise: −20.9 Control: −2.2 Effects were maintained at 3 months follow-up. No differences for elevation muscle strength and scapular motion. |
*Significant improvement in favour of the intervention group as reported by the authors.
abd, abduction; ER, external rotation; f, female; HHD, handheld dynamometer; Infra, infraspinatus; IR, internal rotation; lb, pound; LSST, lateral scapular slide test; LT, lower trapezius; m, male; MT, middle trapezius; PNF, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; RC, rotator cuff; RCT, randomised controlled trial; ROM, range of motion; SA, serratus anterior; SDQ, Shoulder Disability Questionnaire; SOE, scapular orientation exercise; SPADI, shoulder pain and disability index; SPS, subacromial pain syndrome; Subscap, subscapularis; Supra, supraspinatus; UT, upper trapezius; VAS, visual analogue scale; VNRS, verbal numeric rating scale.