Riassunto dello studio

64 patients with chronic shoulder pain and scapular dyskinesis were randomized to receive either scapular movement training (SMT; n=32) or standardized exercises (SE; n=32) over 8 weeks. The primary outcome of interest was three-dimensional scapular kinematics, while secondary outcomes included muscle activity of scapulothoracic muscles, pain, disability, fear avoidance, kinesiophobia, and self-perceived changes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after treatment, and for self-reported measurements at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. SMT showed significant decreases in scapilar internal rotation during arm elevation and lowering in certain planes and increased upper trapezius activity, but decreased middle trapezius and serratus anterior activity during specific arm movements compared to SE. Both groups significantly improved in pain, disability, fear avoidance, kinesiophobia, and self-perceived changes over the course, which was sustained over the remaining 8 weeks. SMT is not superior to standardized exercises in improving the targeted outcome for individuals with shoulder pain.