Shoulder Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals
Conditions
Keywords
Thoracic, Manipulation, Manual Therapy, Mobilization, Shoulder, Range of Motion
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of thoracic spine joint manipulation versus a sham intervention on active and passive shoulder flexion (elevation), external rotation, and internal rotation range of motion.
Detailed description
Many individuals who have a primary complaint of shoulder pain often demonstrate deficits in glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mobility. Typically individuals will have limitations in shoulder range of motion, specifically, flexion (elevation) as well as external and internal rotation. Although the glenohumeral joint is the primary joint for shoulder motion adjacent joints such as the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, scapulothoracic, and thoracic spine also contribute to maximal shoulder motion. Limited shoulder motion may be a result of joint hypomobility, muscle inhibition, or pain. Typically interventions such as stretching and joint mobilization/manipulation are directed at the glenohumeral joint to improve shoulder motion, but little is known about interventions targeting adjacent sites which may also improve shoulder range of motion. This study will evaluate the effect of thoracic spine joint manipulation on active and passive shoulder range of motion.
Interventions
The subject will be in a prone position and the physical therapist will first identify the upper thoracic spine region. The physical therapist will then cross his or her hands and place them on opposite sides of the spinous processes using the pisiforms as the contact area. The subject will be asked to exhale and upon exhalation the physical therapist will apply a small amplitude, quick thrust at end of range.
OTHERSham
The subject will be in a prone position and the physical therapist will first identify the upper thoracic spine region. The physical therapist will then cross his or her hands and place them on opposite sides of the spinous processes using the pisiforms as the contact area. The subject will be asked to exhale and upon exhalation the physical therapist will not apply any other force than light hand contact.
Sponsors
Creighton University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults 19-45 years
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals who are pregnant * History of cervical or thoracic surgery * Bone or joint disease * Current infection or tumor * Osteopenia/osteoporosis * Spinal fracture * Rheumatologic pathologies
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Shoulder Range of motion | Single Study Visit | To determine changes in shoulder active and passive range of motion following one of two intervention protocols. Changes will be measured by examining shoulder range of motion in three directions: Shoulder flexion, internal rotation and external rotation. We hypothesize that the use of a thoracic spine joint manipulation will increase shoulder range of motion in flexion (elevation) as well as external and internal rotation to a greater degree than a sham mobilization. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed