Study Summary

52 patients undergoing subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) were randomized to receive either a shoulder-specific exercise program + home exercise (n=26) or a home exercise program alone (standard of care; n=26). The primary outcome of interest was Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores at 5 weeks. Secondary outcomes included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, pain at rest and with movement on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the incidence of exacerbation of pain. SPADI, DASH, VAS pain with movement, and TSK scores were all significantly better in the shoulder-specific exercise program group compared to the home exercise program with no differences in VAS pain scores at rest at 5 weeks and the incidence of pain exacerbation.