A study to identify any relationship between hand dominance and restrictions in range of motion in the protracted shoulder

Abstract

BackgroundShoulder disorders are considered to be the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Shoulder pain is often linked to movement repetition, uncomfortable postures, prolonged maintenance of static postures and muscular fatigue. Excessive or abnormal muscle tension, are adapted when inefficient or abnormal postures are maintained over time, can lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction causing pain or movement restriction. Hence this study intent to identify movement dysfunction in the shoulder having postural deviation and relationship of the dysfunction to the functional dominance of the extremity.The aim is to identify any relationship between hand dominance and restrictions in range of motion in the protracted shoulder.ObjectiveTo find the restrictions in the range of motion in protracted shoulder and its impact in shoulder function and to find a relationship between altered posture of the shoulder and the hand dominance.Methods60 subjects with altered shoulder posture were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Outcome MeasuresThe outcome measures used were scapular protraction formula and shoulder joint mobility using goniometer.Statistical AnalysisThe collected data was tabulated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. To all parameters mean and standard deviation (SD) were used. Independent t-test was used to analyse significant changes between dominant and non-dominant shoulder.ResultsStatistical analysis of scapular protraction and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder flexion and abduction revealed that there is a High statistical significant difference of p<0.0001 seen between dominant and non-dominant upper extremity.In this study there is a significant difference in the end range shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion between dominant and non- dominant upper extremity, while measuring scapular protraction, which is clinically useful to the therapist to diagnose the altered posture of the shoulder.