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Effects of a Scapular-Focused Exercise Protocol for Patients with Rotator Cuff-Related Pain Syndrome-A Randomized
Cristina Dos Santos1, Isabel Bastos de Almeida2, Mark A Jones3
1Physiotherapy Department, Superior School of Health of Alcoitão, Rua Conde Barão, 2649-506 Alcabideche, Portugal.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|December 24, 2025
Summary
A scapular-focused exercise protocol effectively improves pain and function in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain syndrome. The addition of electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) did not significantly enhance these outcomes in the short term.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Physical Therapy
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain syndrome (RCS) management lacks consistent physiotherapy evidence.
- Scapular dysfunction is implicated in RCS, suggesting targeted interventions may be beneficial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short-term effectiveness of a scapular-focused exercise protocol with and without electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) against a control therapy for RCS.
- To evaluate the impact on pain, function, neuromuscular control, and muscle strength.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients with RCS, divided into three groups: scapular protocol (P_G), scapular protocol with EMGBF (P+EMGBF_G), and control therapy (CT_G).
- Assessments included pain and function (SPADI, NPRS, DASH), scapular stabilizer neuromuscular control (SSNC), activation onset (SSAO), dynamic alignment, range of motion (ROM), and glenohumeral muscle strength (GMS) at baseline and 6 weeks.
Main Results:
- All groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, SSNC, SSAO, dynamic scapular alignment, ROM, and GMS over 6 weeks.
- The P+EMGBF_G demonstrated superior improvements in pain, function, and SSNC compared to the CT_G.
- The P_G also showed superior improvements in pain, function, and dynamic scapular alignment compared to the CT_G.
Conclusions:
- A scapular-focused exercise protocol is an effective approach for improving pain and function in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.
- The addition of EMGBF did not provide additional short-term benefits for pain and function compared to the exercise protocol alone.
