Effect of Specific Exercise Program and Conventional Exercise Protocol on Pain and Disability in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is associated with a number of altered kinematics in the shoulder complex that needs to be addressed by implementing exercises. Though many exercise regime has shown there beneficial effect on patients with SAIS, it becomes important to implement some set of exercises which can provide relief from symptoms as well as be convenient in terms of adherence. The purpose of this study was to find the efficacy of specific exercise program as compared to conventional exercise protocol on pain and disability in patients with SAIS. Method: 30 subjects with unilateral Subacromial impingement syndrome were randomized into group 1 and 2. Group 1 (n = 15) received specific exercise program and Group 2 (n = 15) received conventional exercise protocol for 6 weeks. Exercise logs were given to subjects of both the groups to maintain adherence. Pain evaluated at rest and shoulder activity using visual analog scale (VAS R and VAS A), disability assessed using shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), pain free active range of motion in flexion (AROM F) and abduction (AROM Ab) and maximum isometric elevation strength of shoulder (STR) were taken as outcome measures. All the measures were taken at zero and at six weeks (post intervention). Results: Both groups were homogenous at zero weeks. Post intervention, there was significantly more improvement in specific exercise group as compared to conventional exercise group in terms of all the outcome measures. (p<.05) Conclusion: Specific exercise program showed better results for reducing pain and disability as compared to the conventional exercise protocol for SAIS patients.