The Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Celal Bayar University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Scapular Winging

Treatments: Other: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07344272

CBU-FTR-ES-O7

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on shoulder girdle function and quality of life in individuals with scapular winging.

Full description

Scapular stability on the thorax is fundamental for maintaining proper upper extremity function. The loss of this stability manifests clinically as scapular winging, a pathological condition characterized by the prominent protrusion of the medial (vertebral) border and/or the inferior angle of the scapula away from the thorax.

PNF can target the underlying impairment of scapular dysfunction by activating the muscle synergies required for scapulothoracic stability more powerfully and coordinately through resisted diagonal movements.

Therefore, the implementation and testing of PNF protocols are of critical importance, as this method can enhance functional strength and coordination, contributing to better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life in individuals with scapular winging.

Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of PNF on shoulder girdle function and quality of life in individuals with scapular winging.

In this study, designed as a randomized controlled trial, one group will receive PNF in scapular diagonals for approximately 20-30 minutes, three days a week, for a total of five weeks, to ensure scapular positioning and increase the tone of the surrounding muscles.

The control group will receive no intervention during this period.

Before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the study, participants in both groups will be evaluated using the Scapular Isometric Pinch Test for scapular muscle endurance; the Lateral Scapular Slide Test for scapular position; the Rounded Shoulder Posture Assessment for shoulder posture; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire for upper extremity functional level; and the Short Form-36 for quality of life.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Volunteering to participate in the study.
• Presenting with bilateral scapular winging (Scapular winging will be evaluated by measuring the distance between the inferior angle of the scapula and the thoracic wall using a scapulometer; a distance of ≥2 cm is considered as winging).

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of long thoracic nerve palsy.
• Having undergone shoulder surgery within the last 12 months or having an acute shoulder injury (e.g., rotator cuff tear, dislocation, labral pathology, etc.).
• Presence of scapulothoracic bursitis, fractures, tumors, or structural deformities in the scapular/thoracic region.
• Having received regular scapular or shoulder rehabilitation within the last 6 months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Group will receive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for a duration of 5 weeks, scheduled three times per week, with a session length of approximately 20-30 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

The Control Group will receive no intervention.