Proprioception and shoulder muscle strenght in patients with subacromial pain Syndrome

Abstract

Deficits in proprioceptive acuity have been associated with shoulder conditions, however, the results are still inconclusive for subacromial pain syndrome (SPS). Methodological factors such as training level and occupational demand of the upper limb, as well as the position of the arm during the evaluation, seem to influence the results. Moreover, proprioceptive improvement in the shoulder complex due to a strengthened exercise program in asymptomatic suggests that the level of muscle strength can directly influence proprioception. Then, the aims of this study are: to compare kinesthesia, passive and active joint position sense of the shoulder in two arm positions between patients with SDS and asymptomatic; and to evaluate the correlation between proprioception and shoulder muscle strength. The sample of this cross-sectional observational study will consist of 80 participants of both sexes, aged between 18 and 60 years, separated into two groups: 40 patients with SDS and 40 asymptomatic participants. The assessment will begin with the collection of anthropometric and clinical data, such as pain intensity using the Visual Numerical Scale, disability using the SPADI-Br questionnaire, kinesiophobia using the TAMPA scale, and the level of physical activity through the IPAQ-short version questionnaire. Then, the assessment of the proprioception of the shoulder will be performed using the kinesthesia, passive and active joint position sense tests, and the muscle strength assessment using the isokinetic dynamometer. Shoulder proprioception will be evaluated for medial and lateral rotational movements, in the sitting position with the shoulder at 60 ° elevation in the scapular plane, and in the supine position with 90 ° abduction in the frontal plane, both with 90 ° flexion. elbow. The hypotheses of this study are proprioceptive deficit and a positive correlation between muscle strength and proprioception in patients with SDS compared to asymptomatic individuals. (AU)