Effect of Early Stabilization Exercise Focused on the Scapulothoracic Joint on the Recovery of Surgical Patients Due to Rotator Cuff Tear

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of early stabilization exercise focused on the scapulothoracic joint on the recovery of surgical patients due to rotator cuff tear. @*Methods@#The subjects were 30 patients divided randomly into two groups. Group I consisted of 15 patients who practiced shoulder joint stabilization exercises, including glenohumeral joint movement. Group II consisted of 15 patients who practiced scapulothoracic joint stabilization exercises, excluding glenohumeral joint movement. The duration of stabilization exercise was 30 minutes for one day, five days a week, and five weeks. To measure the dependent variables, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, range of motion (ROM), dynamometer of measured grip were used. @*Results@#The DASH, ROM, and grip power were compared. A significant difference was observed before the intervention in each group (p.05). @*Conclusion@#Both shoulder joint and scapulothoracic joint stabilization exercises were effective after the intervention compared to pre-intervention, but there was no difference between the two groups. Unlike many recent studies on the initiation of stabilization exercises, this study allays the concerns between the advantages of ‘early exercise’ and oppositions of previous studies about ‘early exercise’. Nevertheless, further research regarding these subjects is needed.