Immediate response of glenohumeral abduction range of motion to a caudally directed translational mobilization: a fresh cadaver simulation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immediate effect of caudal glide translational mobilization on the range of motion (ROM) of passive glenohumeral abduction with a fresh cadaver model to simulate the mobilization movement performed by a physical therapist treating patients with glenohumeral hypomobility.


METHODS
Mechanical simulation of caudal glide mobilization and abduction torque range of motion (TROM) measurement of the glenohumeral joint with 2 material testing systems. Mobilizations were conducted with the glenohumeral joint positioned at a resting position (IGR) and at the end range of abduction (IGE).


METHODS
Biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
Twenty fresh shoulder specimens from 10 cadavers (mean age, 68 +/- 8 yr).


METHODS
Changes in TROM of the glenohumeral abduction in response to 5 bouts of caudal glide mobilization.


RESULTS
At least 3 repetitions of TROM were required to attain consistent measurements on glenohumeral abduction ROM. Significant differences were found among changes in TROM because of rest, IGR, and IGE (Kruskal-Wallis statistics, (chi2 = 14.58, p = .001). A greater increase in glenohumeral abduction TROM was found after IGE (mean +/- standard error of the mean, 4.38 degrees +/- 0.95 degrees) compared with the rest control (0.03 degrees +/- 0.07 degrees; Mann-Whitney test, p = .001, alpha = .017) or its IGR counterpart (0.26 degrees +/- 0.46 degrees, p = .001, alpha = .017).


CONCLUSIONS
This simulation of caudal glide translational mobilization at the end range using cadaver models improved passive glenohumeral abduction ROM but was ineffective when performed with the shoulder placed in a resting position. The mechanical responses of the glenohumeral joint to translational mobilization in a live patient may be similar, but some caution should be used in generalizing these findings.
Hsu
A T
AT
Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
Ho
L
L
Ho
S
S
Hedman
T
T
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*