Effects of humeral head stabilization intervention during aggressive manual passive stretching exercises in patients with painful stiff shoulder: A prospective, comparative study.

BACKGROUND: No reports have been published verifying the effects of manual interventions such as humeral head stabilization on improving function and reducing pain when applying aggressive manual passive stretching in patients with painful stiff shoulders. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes, such as range of motion (ROM), pain, and disability scores, in patients with painful stiff shoulders with and without humeral head stabilization intervention while applying aggressive manual passive stretching.

METHODS: Fifty-six patients with painful stiff shoulders were recruited (31 with humeral head stabilization intervention and 25 without such intervention). Clinical outcomes such as active ROM (A-ROM), pain, and disability scores were evaluated using a goniometer; measurement of activity visual analog scale (A-VAS); and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), respectively.

RESULTS: All the parameters, A-ROM, A-VAS, and disability scores (DASH and SPADI) were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05) before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the mean difference in A-ROM for flexion, abduction, and external and internal rotation was 18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.1 to 21.7), 31 (95% CI, 24.9 to 37.4), 17 (95% CI, 13.4 to 21.4), and 16 (95% CI, 11.6 to 20.9), respectively. The mean difference in A-VAS and disability scores for DASH and SPADI was -1 (95% CI, -1.5 to -0.8), -27 (95% CI, 32.3 to -22.6), and -23 (95% CI, -27.8 to -18.3), respectively. All of these measurements favored humeral head stabilization.

CONCLUSION: During aggressive manual passive stretching in patients with painful stiff shoulders, humeral head stabilization intervention may be more beneficial in improving clinical outcomes such as A-ROM, A-VAS pain levels, and disability scores.