Similarly, the stabilized stretching group increased internal rotation 48° (CI 95 26, 69°) compared to the non-stabilized stretching group increase of 26° (CI 95 4, 48°) ( p=0.001). Patients in the scapular stabilization stretching group increased horizontal adduction 40° (CI 95 31, 48°) compared to the non-stabilization stretching group increase of 8° (CI 95 0, 17°) over the course of the three treatments ( p<0.001). The dependent measurements were stabilized horizontal adduction, stabilized internal rotation, stabilized shoulder flexion, non-stabilized shoulder flexion, and current pain level. Baseline pain and range of motion were measured prior to and following each treatment session for three visits that occurred over the course five to seventeen days depending on the patients availability. Sixteen patients with sub-acromial pain associated with tendinopathy and associated pathologies presenting to physical therapy were randomized into two groups (stabilized or non-stabilized scapular stretching). A secondary hypothesis of this study is that stabilized scapular stretching will produce greater improvement in function compared to the non-stabilized stretching program. The primary hypothesis of this study is that stabilized scapular stretching will improve glenohumeral motion and pain compared to non-stabilized stretch program. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stabilized scapular stretching on patients with shoulder pain. Previous research has demonstrated the benefits of both stabilization and non-stabilization of the scapula during stretching in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness, but limited evidence exists in patients with shoulder pain.

Normal shoulder range of motion