title: Comparison of customized versus standard exercises in rehabilitation of shoulder disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To compare the effectiveness of customized exercises with that of standard exercises for the treatment of patients with shoulder disorders. (2) To determine whether four weeks or eight weeks would be needed to see improvement in outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blinded randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient physical therapy clinic affiliated with an academic institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with shoulder disorders were tested and treated between February 2003 and December 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized to a customized or standard exercise group. Each patient first underwent a standardized physical therapy assessment. Based on the results of the assessment, a classification was determined and a classification-specific exercise programme was instructed to the patients in the customized exercise group. The standard exercise group, regardless of classification, received preselected standard exercises. Both groups were followed for eight weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Shoulder range of motion, strength, pain intensity and function were assessed three times (weeks 0, 4 and 8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the customized and standard exercise groups in measures of shoulder range of motion, strength, pain intensity and function after four or eight weeks of exercise. Patients in both groups had significant improvements in shoulder strength, pain intensity and function. Significant improvements occurred at week 8, but not at week 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The customized shoulder exercises did not provide additional benefit to our shoulder patients than the standard exercises.
authors.affiliation: Texas Woman's University, School of Physical Therapy, 8194 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA. swang@twu.edu
authors.forename: S Sharon
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Elaine J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Trudelle-Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D016037:Single-Blind Method