Effects of Thoracic Mobilization on Shoulder Range of Motion

Creighton University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Shoulder Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals

Treatments: Other: Thoracic Mobilization; Other: Sham

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01518504

11-16286

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Thoracic Mobilization

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Thoracic Mobilization

Sham

Sham Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Sham