Short‐ and long‐term effects of a scapular‐focused exercise protocol for patients with shoulder dysfunctions—a prospective cohort

Abstract

Current clinical practice lacks consistent evidence in the management of scapular dyskinesis. This study aims to determine the short‐ and long‐term effects of a scapular‐focused exercise protocol facilitated by real‐time electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) on pain and function, in individuals with rotator cuff related pain syndrome (RCS) and anterior shoulder instability (ASI). One‐hundred and eighty‐three patients were divided into two groups (n = 117 RCS and n = 66 ASI) and guided through a structured exercise protocol, focusing on scapular dynamic control. Values of pain and function (shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) questionnaire, complemented by the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire) were assessed at the initial, 4‐week, and 2‐year follow‐up and compared within and between. There were significant differences in pain and function improvement between the initial and 4‐week assessments. There were no differences in the values of DASH 1st part and SPADI between the 4‐week and 2‐year follow‐up. There were no differences between groups at the baseline and long‐term, except for DASH 1st part and SPADI (p < 0.05). Only 29 patients (15.8%) had a recurrence episode at follow‐up. These results provide valuable information on the positive results of the protocol in the short‐ and long‐term.