Immediate effects of an end-range mobilization technique on shoulder range of motion and skin temperature in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of an end-range mobilization technique on the range of motion of the glenohumeral internal rotation and the skin temperature of the shoulder in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness. [Subjects] Thirteen subjects with posterior shoulder tightness who had glenohumeral internal rotation deficit ≥ 15° participated. [Methods] All subjects underwent glenohumeral joint end-range mobilization intervention. The internal rotation range of motion of the glenohumeral joint was measured by a goniometer and the shoulder skin temperature was measured by a digital infrared thermographic imaging device before and immediately after the intervention. Paired t-tests were used to analyze the differences in these parameter pre and post-intervention.
[Results] The glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion and skin temperature of the posterolateral shoulder in increased significantly post-intervention.
[Conclusion] The end-range mobilization technique is effective for increasing the glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion and skin temperature of the shoulder in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness.

INTRODUCTION

Posterior shoulder tightness (PST) is a common cause of shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear and labral lesions1, 2). PST is associated with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Therefore, PST is often assessed by comparing the range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral internal rotation (IR) between the dominant and non-dominant sides3). Park et al.4) demonstrated decreased glenohumeral joint motion is correlated with decreased blood flow in subjects with impingement. Furthermore, Guirro et al.5) demonstrated decreased talocrural joint motion is correlated with decreased blood flow and temperature in women with diabetes. Decreased joint motion leads to a biomechanical disadvantage, reducing the effectiveness of the pumping capacity of the muscle. Furthermore, PST changes the kinematics of the anterior and superior translations of the humeral head, compromising the subacromial space and contributing to its impingement6). Therefore, shoulder rehabilitation programs for PST should incorporate flexibility treatment to increase the glenohumeral IR ROM.

Various mobilization techniques for the PST treatment have been reported. Mobilization techniques that decrease PST increase the ROM of the glenohumeral joint and shoulder function7, 9). In addition, mobilization techniques including mechanical pressure stimulus increase blood flow13). Joint mobilization activates the sympathetic nervous system leading to increased blood flow and thus increased skin temperature12). The high grade end-range mobilization technique was recently reported to be an effective treatment for PST11), improving glenohumeral joint ROM and kinematics8, 10). Although this technique has been used clinically by physical therapists in Korea, no studies have investigated its effect on the shoulder of individuals with PST. Therefore, this study assessed the immediate effects of the end-range mobilization technique onj the glenohumeral IR ROM and skin temperature of the shoulder in individuals with PST.

SUJECTS AND METHODS

Thirteen men with PST (mean age, 29.15 ± 2.85 years; mean height, 177.12 ± 3.88 cm; mean weight, 77.93 ± 10.32 kg; mean GIRD, 19.92 ± 3.93°) participated. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) ≥ 15° of restricted movement in the glenohumeral IR ROM in the non-dominant side versus the dominant side; (2) had not performed sports activities during the past 6 months. Subjects with a history of surgery in the upper extremity, fracture, or neurological diseases were excluded. All subjects signed an informed consent form approved by the Institutional Research Review Committee of Inje University prior to participation.

The glenohumeral IR ROM was measured as described by Wilk et al.2); it was measured at 90° shoulder abduction by two examiners using a goniometer. During IR ROM measurement, one examiner passively internally rotated the arm to the end of the range (with end feel, palpation of the coracoid process, and visualization of compensatory movement); this position was held as the goniometer was aligned and read by the second examiner.

The skin temperature of the shoulder was measured by using a digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) deviceThe DITI device (T-1000HD, MESH, Gangwon, Korea as described previously by Park et al.4)). The temperature within the DITI room was kept between 19 °C and 21 °C. The patients waited in the room for 15 minutes before measurement. DITI was performed on the upper body and the results were analyzed by evaluating the change in skin temperature of the shoulder at five points: anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, posterolateral, lateral.

For the glenohumeral joint end-range mobilization technique, the subject’s shoulder was positioned at the maximal IR at 90° abduction, and grade IV posterior glide mobilization was performed. The 15 minute intervention comprised 30 second mobilizations followed by 30 second rests.

The differences in the glenohumeral IR ROM and skin temperature of the shoulder were analyzed by paired t-tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 18.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The glenohumeral IR ROM increased significantly post-intervention, as compared to pre-intervention (55.69 ± 8.11° vs. 42.08 ± 8.51°, p < 0.001). Skin temperature increased significantly at the posterolateral point post-intervention (35.43 ± 1.20 °C vs. 34.88 ± 1.19 °C, p = 0.040). No significant differences were observed at the other points.

DISCUSSION

The results demonstrate the glenohumeral joint end-range mobilization technique significantly increased the glenohumeral IR ROM corroborating previous studies8, 11). Previous studies show that the end-range mobilization technique improves the flexibility of the glenohumeral joint capsule and stretches the soft tissue to induce an effect11), Moreover, posterior gliding mobilization restores normal glenohumeral joint kinematics to ensure the humeral head glides in the appropriate direction7).

If the IR ROM difference between the dominant and non-dominant sides exceed m 20°, which is classified as pathologic GIRD, there is an increased risk of shoulder disorder2, 3). Pre-intervention, the IR ROMs the dominant and non-dominant sides were 42.08° and 62°, respectively, for a difference of approximately 19°. After performing the end-range mobilization technique, the IR ROMs of the dominant and non-dominant were 55.69° and 62°, respectively, for a difference of only approximately 6°. Therefore, the end-range mobilization technique, applied within the limit of the joint motion, restored the flexibility of the affected shoulder8, 11). Therefore, increasing the IR ROM and reducing the GIRD might decrease the risk factor of shoulder disorders.

The present study is the first to examine the effects of the end-range mobilization technique on skin temperature of PST. The results show skin temperature of the posterolateral area increased significantly post-intervention. This can be explained as follows: first, a vascular reaction, compresses the local tissue and causes reactive/ischemic hyperemia upon contact release; second, a neurologic sympathetic vascular reaction probably involving between blood pressure and heart rate variability adjustment may affect skin temperature regulation13); third, a reddening reaction from sustained mechanical pressure leads to precapillary sphincter relaxation, resulting in increased blood flow and thus increased skin temperature14). Mobilization techniques such as mechanical pressure stimulus increase the blood flow and skin temperature of the local tissue, which relieve muscle spasms and soft tissue tightness.

The results of this study indicate that the end-range mobilization technique is effective for increasing the glenohumeral IR ROM and skin temperature of the shoulder in individuals with PST.

The present study has some limitations. In particular, we only compared the immediate effects of the end-range mobilization technique, including temperature. Therefore, future studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of this technique and its effects on temperature.