Effects of scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder functions, kinesophobia, quality of life, shoulder disability and daily living activities in patients with rotator cuff syndrome

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of scapular stabilization exercises on shoulder functions, kinesophobia, quality of life, shoulder-related ability loss and daily activities in patients with rotator cuff syndrome. 30 volunteer participants (age interval 18-65 years old) who were diagnosed with rotator cuff syndrome and who had continuous unilateral shoulder pain for at least 4 weeks were randomized into two groups via sealed envelope method. In the study group patients were given scapular stabilization exercises in addition to electrotherapy and stretching and strengthening exercises for glenohumeral joint; whereas patients in the control group were given electrotherapy and stretching and strengthening exercises for glenohumeral joint only. Following parameters were measured and assessed for each patient before and at the end of the study (after 15 sessions); Pain levels via Visual Analog Scale, muscular force via manual muscle test, shoulder joint range of motion via goniometer and hand grip strength via hand dynamometer. Additionally, functional level of the patients were measured with Disabilities of the Shoulder, Arm and Hand, kinesophobia was assessed with Tampa Kinesophobia Scale, quality of life was assessed with Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and daily activities were assessed with Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. For statistical analysis of the data SPSS V.20 was used. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. According to the results of the study, all patients experienced statistically significant improvements for pain, normal joint range of motion, hand grip strength, shoulder muscle strength, kinesophobia, shoulder functions, quality of life and daily activities (p<0.05). Intergroup assessments demonstrated that scapular stabilization exercises (study group) along with stretching and strengthening exercises had been more effective for improvement of shoulder functions, and increasing the shoulder abductor, extensor muscle strength and hand grip strength (p<0.05). It is concluded that classical exercises program was adequate for decreasing pain, gaining a normal joint range of motion, increasing quality of life, decreasing kinesophobia and alleviating daily activities; to extend the improvements in shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength and shoulder functions, adding scapular stabilization exercises to the classical program is considered to be a better method. Keywords: Rotator cuff syndrome, scapular stabilization exercises, pain, shoulder functions, kinesophobia, quality of life.