Kinematic, electromyographic and isokinetic measurements for the management of shoulder subacromial pain syndrome: A systematic review

Background: Subacromial shoulder pain syndrome is a very common and challenging musculoskeletal disorder. Kinematics, electromyographic muscle activity and isokinetic dynamometry are promising non-invasive movement analysis tools to improve understanding of this condition. No review has combined their results to provide a better understanding of the effects of subacromial pain syndrome on shoulder movement. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the associations between exposure to shoulder pain due to subacromial pain syndromes or subacromial impingement and changes in shoulder movement measures. Methods: The databases were Scholar google, Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. We included studies that observed the association of the presence of subacromial pain syndromes or subacromial impingement with changes in shoulder motion measures. Findings: Seventeen studies with 943 participants were included. The main kinematic change was a lower scapular posterior during abduction in the subacromial pain syndrome group with a low level of evidence (standardised mean difference = -0.61, 95% confidence interval [-0.80; -0.43]). The main electromyographic change was an earlier onset of activation of the upper trapezius in the subacromial pain syndrome group, with a moderate level of evidence (standardised mean difference = 1.01, 95% confidence interval: [-2.97; 0.96]). The main isokinetic change was a lower peak internal rotator torque in the subacromial pain syndrome group, with a 'low' level of evidence (standardised mean difference = -0.41, 95% confidence interval: [-0.53; -0.29]). Interpretation: The variables measured during movement are associated with subacromial pain syndrome or subacromial impingement syndrome. Consistency between the results supports the importance of scapula biomechanics measurements in these conditions.

Automated summary

A systematic review showed that subacromial pain syndrome has effects on various shoulder movement measures, including scapular displacement, electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius, and internal rotator torque. These changes indicate the importance of scapula biomechanics measurements in assessing pain syndrome.