title: The effect of shoulder position on inferior glenohumeral mobilization.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional clinical measurement study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Inferior mobilizations are used to treat patients with shoulder dysfunctions. Common positions recommended for promoting an inferior glide include: (1) an open-packed position (OPP) in which the shoulder is in 55° of abduction, 30° of horizontal adduction, and no rotation; (2) neutral position (NP) of the shoulder; and (3) position of 90° of shoulder abduction (ABDP). Studies comparing the impact of position on inferior mobilization are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of shoulder position on humeral movement and mobilization force during inferior mobilizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three subjects were tested bilaterally. Subjects were placed in the OPP, and an ultrasound transducer placed over the superior glenohumeral joint. As inferior mobilization forces were applied through a dynamometer, ultrasound images were taken at rest and during 3 grades of inferior mobilization. This process was repeated in the NP and the ABDP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the NP, movements during grade 1, 2, and 3 mobilizations were 1.8, 3.8, and 4.5 mm, respectively. Movements measured in the OPP (1.0, 2.4, and 3.6 mm, respectively) and in the ABDP (1.0, 2.2, and 2.3 mm, respectively) were less. Forces were higher in the NP during grade 1, 2, and 3 mobilizations (51.8, 138.7, and 202.1 N, respectively) than in the OPP (37.2, 91.2, and 139.9 N, respectively) and the ABPD (42.5, 115.3, and 165.5 N, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobilization position altered the movement and force during inferior mobilizations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shoulder position should be considered when utilizing inferior mobilizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: wittdw@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Dexter W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Talbott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058430:Humeral Head; D008297:Male; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Glenohumeral movement; Manual therapy; Mobilization; Shoulder; Ultrasound