Author(s): Melo, Ana S. C. ; Soares, Ana L. ; Castro, Catarina ; Matias, Ricardo ; Cruz, Eduardo B. ; Vilas-Boas, J. Paulo ; Sousa, Andreia S. P. ; Pinheiro de Sousa, Andreia Sofia
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/30721
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Subject(s): Biomechanical phenomena; Pain; Rehabilitation; Scapula; Superficial back muscles
Scapular adaptations have been associated with shoulder pain. However, conflicting findings have been reported after scapular-focused interventions. The present study aims to evaluate scapula-related outcomes before and after a scapular therapeutic exercise program. Eighteen adult volunteers with chronic shoulder pain participated in an 8-week scapular therapeutic exercise program that was personalized according to their pain condition and the presence of scapular dyskinesis. This program included preparation and warm-up, scapular neuromotor control, and strengthening and stretching exercises. Both self-reported (shoulder pain and function, psychosocial factors, and self-impression of change) and performance-based outcomes (scapular muscular stiffness and activity level, tridimensional motion, rhythm, and movement quality, measured while participants drank a bottle of water) were used for analysis. After the intervention, participants presented reduced shoulder pain (p < 0.0001) and pain catastrophizing (p = 0.004) and increased shoulder function (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the participants presented changes in scapular winging (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.043), increased scapular downward rotation (p < 0.0001) and depression (p = 0.038), and decreased global movement smoothness (p = 0.003). These were associated with changes in serratus anterior activity (p = 0.016 to p = 0.035), decreased middle (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.002) and lower trapezius (p < 0.0001) and levator scapulae (p = 0.048) activity levels, and decreased middle trapezius muscle stiffness (p = 0.014). Patients’ self-perception of change was rated favorably. After a scapular therapeutic exercise program, changes were observed in both self-reported and performance-based outcomes. These results need to be confirmed by a randomized controlled trial.
