Maitland mobilisation improves all ranges of motion in non-traumatic shoulder injury: A randomised controlled trial

Shoulder pathologies are common causes of pain and functional limitation, often requiring physiotherapeutic interventions. Evidence comparing the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise-based approaches in non-traumatic shoulder conditions remains limited.

To compare the effectiveness of Maitland mobilisation (MAIT) versus kinesiotherapy (KINE) in improving pain, function, quality of life, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with non-traumatic shoulder pathology.

Fifty-nine patients (63 shoulders) were randomly assigned to KINE (KINE; n = 32) or MAIT (MAIT; n = 31) over 15 sessions (three per week for 5 weeks). Both groups also received shortwave diathermy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and exercises. Outcomes included the Disabilities for the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form Health Survey, and ROM assessed with a Qualisys motion capture system. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-week follow-up.

While both groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life after treatment, maintained at 2-week follow-up, MAIT also improved all outcome measures across all ROMs. Percentage changes from baseline were significantly greater in the MAIT group for most variables at both time points. A greater proportion of patients in the MAIT group exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for DASH, ASES, and VAS.

Although both approaches produced positive outcomes, MAIT demonstrated superior effectiveness compared with KINE.

Maitland mobilisation may be recommended as a preferred intervention for non-traumatic shoulder pathology in clinical practice, offering broader improvements in function, pain, and mobility without additional treatment burden.