Comparison of isometric muscle strength between painful and non-painful shoulders in patients with symptoms of subacromial impingement

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The subacromial impingement syndrome is a dysfunction of the glenohumeral joint which can cause pain, functional disability, dependence, and low quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the muscle strength between painful and non-painful shoulders and to verify the relationship between shoulder pain and disability and isometric muscle strength of the upper limb and kinesiophobia level in individuals with symptoms of subacromial impingement syndrome. METHODS: Twenty volunteers with symptoms of subacromial impingement syndrome participated in the study. The evaluation was carried out by means of an evaluation form, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index questionnaire (SPADI - BRAZIL) to assess disability and shoulder pain and the TAMPA questionnaire to analyze the level of kinesiophobia. The evaluation of shoulder isometric muscle strength was performed using the Manual Hand-Held Dynamometer stabilized by a rigid band in the movements of flexion, extension, abduction and internal and external rotation of the shoulder. RESULTS: In the comparison of muscle strength between symptomatic and asymptomatic side, evidence of significant difference (p<0.05) was verified for all movements evaluated. There was a significant negative relationship between shoulder pain and disability index and isometric muscle strength of flexion and internal rotation, and a significant positive relationship with the level of kinesiophobia. CONCLUSION: Individuals with symptoms of subacromial impingement syndrome showed a significant reduction in muscle strength of the symptomatic shoulder. The shoulder pain and disability index is related to the isometric muscle strength of the shoulder and to the level of kinesiophobia.