Effects of mobilization with movement on pain and range of motion in patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) to a sham technique in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed. Forty-two patients (mean ± SD age, 55 ± 9 years; 81% female) satisfied eligibility criteria, agreed to participate, and were randomized into anMWMgroup (n = 21) or sham manual contact (n = 21). The primary outcomemeasures including pain intensity, pain during active range of motion, andmaximal active range ofmotion were assessed by a clinician blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were captured at baseline and after 2 weeks of MWM treatment or sham intervention. The primary analysis was the group × time interaction. Results: The 2 × 2 analysis of variance revealed a significant group × time interaction for pain intensity during shoulder flexion (F = 7.054; P = .011), pain-free shoulder flexion (F = 32.853; P b .001), maximum shoulder flexión (F = 18.791; P b .01), and shoulder external rotation (F = 7.950; P b .01) in favor of the MWM group. No other significant differences were found. Conclusions: Patients with shoulder impingement syndromewho received 4 sessions ofMWMexhibited significantly better outcomes for pain during shoulder flexion, pain-free range of shoulder flexion, maximal shoulder flexion, and maximal external rotation than those patients who were in the sham group.