The effect of cerebral dominance on pain i̇ntensity, range of motion and functional status in shoulder pathologies

Shoulder pain is the third most common locomotor system pathology in the community. Treatment and rehabilitation of the shoulder is very important because it is the most mobile joint of the body and is prone to injury. This situation can be a social problem as it affects the quality of life of the person. Cerebral lateralization refers to the morphological and functional difference between the two hemispheres of the brain. Hand preference is accepted as a functional cerebral lateralization. In the literature, lateralization differences between the dominant and non-dominant upper extremities in healthy individuals have been reported, but the effects of these differences on pain, functional status and range of motion (ROM) in the treatment of patients with shoulder pathology have not been stated. It has also been reported in the literature that the dominant and non-dominant arms are affected by each other's kinematics. In our study, it was aimed to examine the effect of this interaction and existing cerebral lateralization on the treatment of shoulder pathologies. Patients between the ages of 18-65, who applied to the hospital with the complaint of unilateral shoulder pain and whose treatment protocol was determined by the specialist physician, included in the study. Patients with extrinsic shoulder pathologies, those who have undergone a surgical procedure on the shoulder, and patients with bilateral shoulder pain not be included in the study. 33 patients with dominant shoulder pathology and 29 patients with non-dominant shoulder pathology evaluated. Edinburgh Oldfield questionnaire used to determine hand preference. Questionnaires and measurements applied by the same physiotherapist before and after the treatment to the participants who receive routine treatment. Pain intensity evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), joint range of motion will be evaluated with a goniometer, and functional status measurements evaluated with Quick-DASH. Our study may guide clinicians in determining the treatment target in the treatment of shoulder pain, considering the differences in recovery of the dominant and non-dominant arm. It is thought that the study will contribute to the limited number of studies examining hand dominance in shoulder pathologies.