Effect of the scapula-setting exercise on acromio-humeral distance and scapula muscle activity in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of the scapula setting exercise on acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and the activity of scapula muscles in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study.

SETTING: Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital in South Korea.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients with SIS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured AHD by ultrasound and muscle activation of the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and lower trapezius (LT) by surface electromyography and compared outcome measures between patients with and without the SSE. The SSE involved maintaining the scapula in upward rotation with posterior tilting in the resting position, and passive shoulder elevation at 60° in the scapula plane.

RESULTS: The AHD (rest and 60°: P < 0.001), as well as muscle activity of SA (rest: P = 0.001, 60°: P = 0.004), MT (rest: P < 0.001, 60°: P = 0.001), and LT (rest: P = 0.001, 60°: P < 0.001), was significantly increased by SSE with the arm at rest and with passive 60° shoulder elevation.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the SSE could be used to increase the AHD and activity of the serratus anterior, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles in patients with SIS.

CLINICAL TRIALS: Gov identifier: KCT0002687.