Background: Stretch-oriented home exercise programs are often used as treatments for patients with adhesive capsulitis; however, there is lack of research on home exercise programs to strengthen rotator cuffs. Objects: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of home exercise programs for rotator cuff strengthening on pain, range of motion (ROM), disability level, and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: Twenty-two patients with adhesive capsulitis volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 11) and control group (n = 11). For the experimental group, manual therapy and home exercise programs for rotator cuff strengthening were applied for 6 weeks; for the control group, only manual therapy was applied for 6 weeks. Shoulder pain (quadruple visual analogue scale, QVAS), ROM, disability (shoulder pain and disability index-Korean version, SPADI), and quality of life (world health organization quality of life scale-Korean version, WHOQOL-BREF) were evaluated at baseline, after 3 weeks, and after 6 weeks of intervention. The changes in the measurement variables were analyzed by using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences were observed between the experimental group and control group in the QVAS; SPADI-pain scores; SPADI-disability scores; SPADI-total scores; flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation ROM of the glenohumeral joint; and WHOQOLBREF total, overall, physical health, and psychological scores. All groups displayed statistically significant improvements as observed in the QVAS, SPADI, flexion, abduction, external and internal rotation ROM of the glenohumeral joint, and WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusion: Home exercise programs for rotator cuff strengthening had a positive impact on shoulder pain, shoulder ROM, disability level, and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Therefore, we propose the use of home exercise programs for rotator cuff strengthening in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Background: Sling exercises are frequently used for the rehabilitation process of patients with shoulder joint injuries, but research on the significant frequency intensity and appropriate treatment duration for sling exercises with local vibration stimulation is lacking. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise with vibration on shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain, and dysfunction in patients with a medical diagnosis of shoulder joint injury. Methods: Twenty-two patients were randomly assigned to the experiment and control groups. Six sling exercises with and without 50 ㎐ vibrations were applied in the experiment and control groups, respectively. Each exercise consisted of 3 sets of 5 repetitions performed for 6 weeks. The assessment tools used included shoulder joint range of motion, muscle strength, pain level, and shoulder pain and disability index for functional disability. We conducted re-evaluations before and 3 and 6 weeks after intervention. The changes in the measurement variables were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The ROM of the external rotation of the shoulder joint had a significant interaction between the group and the measurement point (F=3.652, p<.05). In both groups, we found a significant increase in external rotation angle between the measurement points (p<.05). The flexor strength of the shoulder joint significant interaction between the group and the measurement point (F=4.247, p<.05). Both the experiment (p<.01) and control groups (p<.05) showed a significant increase in shoulder flexor strength at the measurement points. After 6 weeks of the interventions, both the groups showed significantly improved VAS (p<.01), SPADI (p<.01), and orthopedic tests (p<.01). However, there was no significant difference between the group and the measurement point in terms of the clinical outcomes observed. Conclusion: The sling exercise with local vibration of 50 ㎐ affected the external rotation of the shoulder range of motion and improved shoulder flexor strength in the patients with shoulder injuries. Therefore, we propose the use of the sling exercise intervention with vibration in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with shoulder joint injuries.

Background: High string instrument (violin, viola) players are at high risk for developing musculoskeletal problems. In particular, a higher prevalence of shoulder problems has been reported. However, evidence of the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for musicians with this condition is lacking until now. Objects: This case series study investigated the effect of a specific exercise program on shoulder pain, dysfunction, and posture of professional orchestral high string musicians. Methods: Five professional orchestral high string players with shoulder pain participated in this study. A six-week specific exercise program focus on scapular stability for shoulder pain consisted of scapular muscle exercise. Physical examinations for pain and dysfunction, posture were performed, were identified among all subjects before starting the exercise program. Results: The results revealed that shoulder pain decreased by 67.86% and the effect of pain on instrument play decreased by 63.33%. The shoulder pain and disability Index and the performing arts module-quick disability of the arm, shoulder and hand scale decreased by 71.72% and 51.61% respectively. The exercise program improved function and posture. Conclusion: A specific exercise program for high string players was effective in managing shoulder pain. This case series is intended to provide empirical data on the effectiveness of an exercise program aimed at assessing the effect of exercise on pain, dysfunction, and posture of professional orchestra musicians associated with specific instrument groups.

본 연구는 경락마사지가 여성의 어깨 통증에 미치는 효과를 검증하기 위한 목적으로 수행되었다. 이를 위하여 여성 참가자들 45명을 비확률표본추출법 중 편의표본추출법(convenience sampling)과 판단표본추출법(judgemental sampling)에 의해 연구 대상 표본을 추출하였고, 참가자들는 S시에서 어깨 통증으로 인해 경락마사지 치료를 받는 45명의 여성들을 대상으로 주 2회 40분씩 총 16회의 경락마사지 처치를 하였다. 본 실험의 프로그램은 참가자 안정-경락마사지-경혈지압-경락마사지-참가자 안정의 순서로 이루어져 있으며 경락마사지에 적용한 경락은 12경락 중에서 수태음폐경(LU; Lung Meridian)과 수태양소장경(SI; Small Intestine Meridian)만을 처치하였다. 측정도구는 어깨 통증에 대한 주관적인 표현을 기록하는 사상척도(Visual Analog Scale; VAS)에 의한 통증평정지수를 3회에 걸쳐 측정하였으며, 5점 리커트 척도를 자기평가기입법에 의해 시행하였다. 이상의 연구방법을 통하여 경락마사지를 받은 여성의 어깨 통증 감소에 관한 영향력에 대하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻게 되었다. 첫째, 참가자의 배경변인인 연령에 따른 어깨 통증의 감소효과를 알아보기 위하여 횡단면 분석에서는 모두 유의미한 차이가 나타났다. 둘째, 경락마사지 치료에 따른 참가자의 어깨 통증감소 효과를 알아보기 위하여 대응표본 T-test 통한 차이 검증에서도 모두 유의미한 차이가 나타났다. 셋째, 연령에 따른 어깨 통증감소의 차이를 알아보기 위하여 다변량분산분석(MANOVA) 검증을 실시한 결과 모두 11개의 항목 중에서 10개의 항목에서 유의한 차이가 나타났으며, 문항 6번의 편두통 관련 항목에서만 유의미한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 이러한 연구의 결과를 통해 경락마사지가 여성의 어깨 통증 감소에 유의한 영향을 미치고 있다는 것을 알 수 있었으며 한의학과 결합된 치료방법인 경락마사지가 어깨 통증감소에 적합한 프로그램임을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 이러한 연구의 결과가 향후 여성의 어깨 통증 치료에 긍정적인 기초 자료를 제공할 것으로 기대한다.

Background: Patients after rotator cuff (RC) surgery experienced pain, weakness and limited of motion of the shoulder. Physical therapists have used heat therapy, electrotherapy, range of motion (ROM) exercise and other methods to treat patients after RC surgery. In addition, functional taping is also used to support joint movement and to increase shoulder joint stability. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the initial effects of functional taping using non-elastic tape on pain, strength and ROM of the shoulder following RC surgery. Methods: Forty-eight patients with who underwent RC surgery volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n1=25) and a control group (CG, n2=23). First, non-allergic tape was applied to the shoulder to prevent skin irritation. The EG applied functional taping using non-elastic tape and the CG applied sham taping using elastic tape. Assessment tools included the shoulder pain and disability index for functional activity score, visual analog scale for level of pain, shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength and ROM testing. Results: Pain score in the both group significantly decreased (p<.05), and change in pain score of in the EG increased significantly than in the CG (p<.05). Shoulder strength and ROM in the both group significantly increased (p<.05). Especially external rotation and extension of the shoulder ROM in the EG increased significantly more than in the CG (p<.05), but the rate of change in the two groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that functional taping using non-elastic tape was initially effective in decreasing pain score level in patients with RC surgery.