Investigation of the effects of video games-based exercise training on pain, functionality and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome

The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of video games-based exercise training administered in conjunction with conservative physiotherapy in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. We included patients with subacromial impingement syndrome between 40 and 65 years of age in Stage II and III classification according to Neer staging. The 50 patients included in our study were randomly divided into two groups. Conservative physiotherapy and video-based exercise training were applied to the first group (n=25), while only conservative physiotherapy was administered to the second group (n=25). Both groups were treated for 20 sessions. Patients pre and post-treatment pain (VAS), range of motion, and painful arc (gonyometer), muscle strength (dynamometer), joint position sense (laser pointer assisted angle reproduction test), functionality (DASH and SPADI), quality of life (SF-36 Short Form) were evaluated. In both groups, pain intensity and painful arc values were decreased, range of motion and muscle strength values were increased, joint position sense deviations decreased, functional level and quality of life were improved (p<0.05). When comparing between groups no difference was found in terms of EHA values, muscle strength (flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation), painful arc value, DASH score, SPADI pain parameter, SF-36's physical function, physical role difficulty, emotional role difficulty, energy /vitality, mental health, pain and general health perception parameters (p>0.05). In parameters of pain, horizontal adduction muscle strength, joint position sense, SPADI disability, SPADI total SF-36's social functionality difference was found (p<0.05). The results of our study showed that the video-based exercise training which applied together with conservative physiotherapy was more effective in terms of reducing pain, increasing joint position sense and increasing level of functionality compared to only conservative therapy. Therefore, we think that conservative treatment of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome should be supported by video-based exercise.