Effects of mobilization with movement on pain and range of motion in patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) to a sham technique in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was performed. Forty-two patients (mean ± SD age, 55 ± 9 years; 81% female) satisfied eligibility criteria, agreed to participate, and were randomized into an MWM group (n = 21) or sham manual contact (n = 21). The primary outcome measures including pain intensity, pain during active range of motion, and maximal active range of motion were assessed by a clinician blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were captured at baseline and after 2 weeks of MWM treatment or sham intervention. The primary analysis was the group × time interaction.


RESULTS
The 2×2 analysis of variance revealed a significant group × time interaction for pain intensity during shoulder flexion (F = 7.054; P = .011), pain-free shoulder flexion (F = 32.853; P < .001), maximum shoulder flexion (F = 18.791; P < .01), and shoulder external rotation (F = 7.950; P < .01) in favor of the MWM group. No other significant differences were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with shoulder impingement syndrome who received 4 sessions of MWM exhibited significantly better outcomes for pain during shoulder flexion, pain-free range of shoulder flexion, maximal shoulder flexion, and maximal external rotation than those patients who were in the sham group.
Physical Therapist, Primary Care Service Area, León, Spain.
José A
JA
Delgado-Gil
Occupational Therapist, General Hospital, León, Spain.
Eva
E
Prado-Robles
Physical Therapist, Department of Psychology, Social and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Daiana P
DP
Rodrigues-de-Souza
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce University, Manchester, NH.
Joshua A
JA
Cleland
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón (Madrid), Spain.
César
C
Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Professor, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Francisco
F
Alburquerque-Sendín
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Pain; Range of Motion; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome