Scapular Stabilization Exercise on Pain and Functional Recovery in People with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of scapular stabilization exercise training on pain andfunctionalrecovery in peoplewith shoulder impingement syndrome.Design: Asystematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO. We systematically searched different databases. A random-effects model was used to determinethe mean difference (MD) and 95% confidenceinterval (CI) for pain and functional recovery. Heterogeneity among studies wasexamined using the I² statistic.

Results: Fourteenstudies (666 participants) were included in theanalysis. Addition of scapular stabilization-based exercise training to generalexercises reduce pain MD -0.8 cm (95% CI, -1.07 to - 0.4; I² = 0%) and improvethe functionalrecovery and shoulder abduction range of motion MD -13.27 (95% CI, -16.85 to-9.69; I² = 5%) and MD 2.74 degrees (95% CI, 0.3 to5.2; I² = 0%, respectively. However, the certainty of theevidence is low to very low. No significant differences in pain or functional recovery were found between participants in the scapularstabilization-based exercise training with the feedback group and those in the scapular stabilization-basedexercise training without the feedback group.

Conclusion: Our findings arepromising; however, higher quality RCT are needed to better establish thesuperiority of the rehabilitation programs that include scapular stabilizationexercises.