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Stretching Exercises for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Effects of 6-Week Program on Shoulder Tightness, Pain, and
Context:
Increasing soft tissue flexibility and joint mobility is one of the important aims of studies to treat subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a stretching program on posterior capsule tightness, pectoralis minor tightness, pain severity, and disability status in SIS.
Design:
Single-group pretest posttest design.
Setting:
University outpatient clinic.
Participants:
18 participants diagnosed with SIS (34.8±9.4 y, symptoms duration 5.8±4.9 months) were included in the study.
Intervention:
The 6-week self-stretching program for pectoralis minor, posterior capsule, levator scapula, and latissimus dorsi was performed.
Main Outcome Measures:
Posterior capsule tightness, pectoralis minor tightness, pain severity (visual analog scale), and self-reported shoulder-related pain and disability status (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) were used to assess changes in flexibility and symptoms.
Results:
Comparisons showed that there was significantly less posterior capsule and pectoralis minor tightness, less pain severity on activity and at night, and a lower disability score reported after the 6-week stretching program (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in pain severity at rest after the 6-week stretching program (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The findings of the study showed that flexibility, pain severity, and disability gains can be achieved with a 6-week stretching exercise training for participants with SIS. Therefore, shoulder girdle stretching exercises should be recommended early in shoulder rehabilitation program.
