Hsu A-T, Ho L, Ho S, Hedman T. Immediate response of glenohumeral abduction range of motion to a caudally directed translational mobilization: a fresh cadaver simulation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:1511-6. Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of caudal glide translational mobilization on the range of motion (ROM) of passive glenohumeral abduction with a fresh cadaver model to simulate the mobilization movement performed by a physical therapist treating patients with glenohumeral hypomobility. Design: Mechanical simulation of caudal glide mobilization and abduction torque range of motion (TROM) measurement of the glenohumeral joint with 2 material testing systems. Mobilizations were conducted with the glenohumeral joint positioned at a resting position (IGR) and at the end range of abduction (IGE). Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Cadavers: Twenty fresh shoulder specimens from 10 cadavers (mean age, 68 ± 8yr). Main Outcome Measure: Changes in TROM of the glenohumeral abduction in response to 5 bouts of caudal glide mobilization. Results: At least 3 repetitions of TROM were required to attain consistent measurements on glenohumeral abduction ROM. Significant differences were found among changes in TROM because of rest, IGR, and IGE (Kruskal-Wallis statistics, X2 = 14.58, p =.001). A greater increase in glenohumeral abduction TROM was found after IGE (mean ± standard error of the mean, 4.38° ± 0.95°) compared with the rest control (0.03° ± 0.07°; Mann-Whitney test, p =.001, α =.017) or its IGR counterpart (0.26° ± 0.46°, p =.001, α =.017). Conclusion: This simulation of caudal glide translational mobilization at the end range using cadaver models improved passive glenohumeral abduction ROM but was ineffective when performed with the shoulder placed in a resting position. The mechanical responses of the glenohumeral joint to translational mobilization in a live patient may be similar, but some caution should be used in generalizing these findings. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation