“Investigating the combined effects of scapular-focused training and Mulligan mobilization on shoulder impingement syndrome” a three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives

To assess whether the combination of scapular-focused training and mulligan mobilization (SFTMM) improves pain and proprioception compared to scapular-focused training (SFT) and a control group in female rock climbers with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).

Design

Three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Setting

Outpatient setting.

Subjects

Individuals were randomly assigned to SFTMM, SFT alone, and control group.

Interventions

8 weeks of SFTMM and SFT.

Main measures

Outcome measures were pain and proprioception.

Results

The results revealed significant differences in pain scores and proprioception among female rock climbers with SIS who participated in SFTMM, SFT, and a control group (F(2, 32) = 81.01, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.83 for pain scores; F(2, 32) = 178.2, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.91 for proprioception scores). Post-hoc tests via the Bonferroni test indicated that both SFTMM and SFT significantly reduced pain levels (p = 0.001) and improved proprioception levels (p = 0.001) compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in pain scores and proprioception between the SFTMM group and the SFT group (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study indicates that SFTMM significantly reduces pain and improves proprioception in female rock climbers with SIS, as shown by notable changes compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the SFTMM (combined intervention) and SFT alone. Therefore, while the incorporation of SFT and MM shows promise; further research is needed to fully understand its long-term benefits and clinical implications.

Ethical Code Registration

The study was approved at Ethics.research.ac.ir, code: IR.SSRC.REC.1402.170 on 2023-10-22.