Exercise and Manual Therapy for Shoulder Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is the most frequent cause of shoulder pain. A variety of non-surgical treatments have been advocated to correct the impairments associated with SAIS. Clinical trials support the use of therapeutic exercise and joint mobilizations to improve pain and functional disability associated with SAIS. However, not all patients in these trials had a favorable outcome. Moreover, the effect sizes in these trials were small to moderate. Thus the purposes of this study are to 1. determine the effect of a multi-modal rehabilitation program consisting of strengthening, stretching, manual therapy to the shoulder and spine, patient education, posture, and functional re-training; and 2. identify those patients who are and who are not likely to respond to rehabilitation at the start of care.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome as evidence by all 5 criteria:

• Reproduction of symptoms with impingement test: either Hawkins-Kennedy or Neer Test
• Pain during active shoulder elevation at or above 60 degrees
• Weakness of rotator cuff or pain during the Empty Can test or during resisted shoulder external rotation
• Shoulder disability: greater than or equal to 20/100 (0 = no disability)
• Able to understand written and spoken English

Exclusion criteria

• Severe pain; pain is > or equal to 7/10 on NPRS (0 = no pain)
• Shoulder surgery on affected shoulder
• Traumatic shoulder dislocation within the past 3 months
• Previous rehabilitation for this episode of shoulder pain
• Reproduction of shoulder pain with active or passive cervical motion
• Systemic inflammatory joint disease
• Global loss of passive shoulder ROM, indicative of adhesive capsulitis