Background: Posterior shoulder tightness, which is a problem mainly seen in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, disrupts the scapulohumeral rhythm between the humerus and scapulae. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of joint mobilization and stretching on shoulder muscle activity and internal rotation range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral joint in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: The research subjects included 22 in-patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group (12 patients) was treated with joint mobilization and the other group (10 patients) was treated with stretching for the posterior shoulder tightness. Each treatment was performed five times a week for two weeks, and there were 15 sessions for each treatment. The ROM of the internal rotation and muscle activities of shoulder joint were evaluated pretest and posttest in each group. Electromyography data were collected from the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior during shoulder abduction of 90°, 120°, and 150°. Results: Both the joint mobilization and stretching groups showed significant decreases in muscle activity in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius on the posttest (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in serratus anterior at 150° (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group in post-hoc analysis (p > 0.025). The internal rotation ROM was significantly increased in the stretching group compared to that in the joint mobilization group (p < 0.025). Conclusion: This study found that both joint mobilization and stretching for posterior shoulder tightness were effective in muscle activity during arm abduction, also in order to increase internal rotation ROM of shoulder joint, stretching was effective in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior tightness.

The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effects of Maitland joint mobilization with kinematic taping in subacromial impingement syndrome patients. The Maitland joint mobilization was applied glenohumeral joint. The mobilization was performed at the end of rage to Grade IV. After that, kinematic tape was attached to shoulder joint (supraspinatis, infraspinatis, and trapezius muscles). The intervention period was four days. The measurement was done five times. The shoulder pain, range of motion (flexion, abduction, and rotation of the shoulder joint), muscle tone and stiffness (upper trapezius and deltoid muscle) were measured. The shoulder pain decreased. The range of motion (ROM) was increased all flexion, abduction, and rotation of the shoulder joint. Muscle tone and stiffness were decreased, especially upper trapezius of those was greatly decreased. The findings of present study suggest that Maitland joint mobilization with kinematic taping is effective in decreasing pain, muscle tone and stiffness, and in increasing shoulder ROM in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wheelchair propulsion speed changes on the shoulder impingement syndrome. Method: EMG activity of 5 muscles (biceps brachii, pectoralis major, deltoid anterior, triceps brachii, and trapezius) were recorded with surface electrodes in 24 males during propulsion of three different speed levels on a motor-driven wheelchair treadmill. EMG signal was analysed using root mean square (RMS) values. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the one-way ANOVA and a Post Hoc Multiple Comparison were applied at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results of this study were as follows: Biceps brachii, and pectoralis RMS value variations of wheelchair propulsion speed between 45m/min and 60m/min, and between 60m/min and 75m/min were not statistically different (p>0.05). Triceps brachii, deltoid anterior and trapezius RMS value variations of wheelchair propulsion speed between 45m/min and 75m/min were statistically different (p<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of impingement syndrome has increased from deltoid muscle contraction growth and trapezoid, triceps brachial muscle endurance decrease when wheelchair propulsion speed rises. To prevent from impingement syndrome wheelchair users should strengthen and endure shoulder muscles. Besides we need education on propulsion posture and suitable position for wheelchair users.