Investigation of the Effect of Conventional Treatment on Postural Stability and Balance in Individuals with Shoulder Pain

Abstract

Background: The stability provided by the trunk is needed for normal shoulder function. This is also related to balance. Objectives: To examine the postural stability and balance status of individuals with shoulder pain and the relations of these parameters to each other. In addition, to investigate the effects of conventional shoulder pain treatment on postural instability and balance parameters. Methods: Twenty patients with shoulder pain and twenty healthy individuals included in the study were assigned to the treatment (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). A conventional physiotherapy program was applied 3 times a week to individuals with shoulder pain in the treatment group for 8 weeks (24 sessions). Pain, shoulder range of motion, and balance were evaluated at the end of the program. Results: A statistically significant improvement was observed in the pre-and post-treatment values of pain and range of motion in the treatment group at the end of 8 weeks (P = 0.00; P = 0.02). In addition, statistically significant differences were found in all values in the results of the balance assessment between the groups, except for the dynamic balance scores of the medial-lateral balance (P = 0.014; P = 0.016). Conclusions: Postural stability and balance status of individuals with shoulder pain were evaluated, and no statistically significant difference was found between them and healthy individuals. It was observed that therapeutic agents applied in addition to exercise in individuals with shoulder pain prove to be a safe method that can be implemented to improve the parameters of pain, mobility, balance, and postural stability.