Impact of Different Isokinetic Movement Patterns on Shoulder Rehabilitation Outcome

Shoulder pain is regularly associated with limited mobility and limitations in activities of daily living. In occupational therapy, various interventions, including active isokinetic training with a Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment (BTE) Work Simulator, help the patient improve shoulder mobility and alleviate pain. This randomized controlled cohort study aims to evaluate the impact of different isokinetic movement patterns on the DASH score, pain, and objective performance measures, such as range of motion (ROM) and hand grip strength. Patients that participated in a specific 3-week inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation were divided into two groups. The first group (UNI-group, n = 9) carried out uniplanar exercises for shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The patients in the second group (ADL-group, n = 10) imitated multiplanar everyday movements, such as climbing on a ladder, loading a shopping cart, and raising a glass to their mouth. Compared to the UNI-group, the ADL-group improved significantly in DASH scores (mean -10.92 ± 12.59 vs. -22.83 ± 11.31), pain (NPRS -1.11 ± 2.37 vs. 3.70 ± 2.00), and shoulder abduction (+2.77 ± 15.22 vs. +25.50 ± 21.66 degrees). In conclusion, the specific BTE exercise program with multiplanar movement patterns contributed considerably to the therapeutic improvement.