Håvard Østerås1, Gunnar Myhr, Lasse Haugerud, Tom Arild Torstensen. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Education and Social Work, Sør-Trøndelag University College, Ranheimsv 10, N-7004 Trondheim, Norway. havard.osteras@hist.no
Abstract
UNLABELLED: SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The primary aim of this case series was to investigate the effect of a high dosage medical exercise therapy program on shoulder pain in patients with subacromial pain syndrome. SUBJECTS: Six subjects were assigned to a medical exercise therapy group. METHODS: They received three treatments a week over three months. Outcome measures were descriptions of the subacromial space including supraspinatus tendon diameter, function, pain, and active range of motion in the shoulder girdle. RESULTS: The subjects showed improvement posttest compared to pretest with respect to pain, function, range of motion, and isometric strength. An MRI demonstrated no change in tendon thickness after the treatment. Inflammatory signs such as fluid in the subacromial bursa decreased in some patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In patients with uncomplicated subacromial pain syndrome, high dosage medical exercise therapy might be an efficient treatment approach. The clinical effects might be explained by morphological changes in the subacromial space.
UNLABELLED: SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The primary aim of this case series was to investigate the effect of a high dosage medical exercise therapy program on shoulder pain in patients with subacromial pain syndrome. SUBJECTS: Six subjects were assigned to a medical exercise therapy group. METHODS: They received three treatments a week over three months. Outcome measures were descriptions of the subacromial space including supraspinatus tendon diameter, function, pain, and active range of motion in the shoulder girdle. RESULTS: The subjects showed improvement posttest compared to pretest with respect to pain, function, range of motion, and isometric strength. An MRI demonstrated no change in tendon thickness after the treatment. Inflammatory signs such as fluid in the subacromial bursa decreased in some patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In patients with uncomplicated subacromial pain syndrome, high dosage medical exercise therapy might be an efficient treatment approach. The clinical effects might be explained by morphological changes in the subacromial space.