Effect of glenohumeral mobilization and exercises combined with scapular taping on pain and function in patients with sub-acromial impingement Syndrome: An experimental study

INTRODUCTION : Sub-acromial impingement is characterized clinically by pain with abduction (painful arc) and signs of impingement. The sub-acromial bursae have been shown to contain free nerve endings, ruffini endings and pacinian corpuscles most of which are located on roof side of bursae facing acromion. It is believed that these nociceptors relay stimuli caused by impingement that are interpreted as pain. Shoulder impingement syndrome is a chronic condition caused by repetitive overhead activities that damages glenoid labrum, long head of biceps brachii and acromial bursae. Impingement syndrome includes pathologies of rotator cuff disease such as sub-acromial bursitis, partial rotator cuff tear and bicipital tendinosis. OBJECTIVES : To study the effect of glenohumeral mobilization and exercises combined with scapular taping on pain and function in patients with sub-acromial impingement syndrome. METHODS : Study Design - Pre-test and Post- test Experimental group study design. Study Setting - Study will be conducted at Department of Physiotherapy, KG Hospital and K.G Pain relief centre, K.G. College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore. Study Duration - Total study duration is one year. Treatment duration for each patient is six weeks. Sampling - 30 patients who fulfilled the predetermined inclusive and exclusive criteria were selected and divided into three groups by convenience sampling method. Each group consists of 10 patients. Groups are named as Group A, Group B and Group C. RESULTS : This study showed that scapula taping, glenohumeral mobilization and exercises is effective in reduction of pain and improvement of function in patients with sub-acromial impingement syndrome. CONCLUSION : This study concluded that scapular taping, glenohumeral mobilization, exercises group was more effective than glenohumeral mobilization and exercises group and exercises only group in reducing pain and improving function in subacromial impingement syndrome