Do you suffer from shoulder pain? If so, you'll be interested to learn about a new technique to potentially alleviate your symptoms.
A clinical trial has investigated the effects of handgrip strength exercises on patients with primary subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) – a condition that causes shoulder pain and limits movement. The clinical trial’s findings offer promising insights into a non-invasive and effective approach to managing shoulder pain.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder dysfunction is a common complaint of patients visiting physiotherapy clinics, with 20–30% of the general population having been diagnosed with shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is the 3rd most prevalent musculoskeletal pain after spinal and knee pain. SAIS is estimated to be present in 44-70% of people with shoulder pain.
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS)
Before we delve into the study, let's grasp the basics of subacromial impingement syndrome. It is a common condition that occurs when the rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder become irritated and inflamed. This can lead to pain, reduced range of motion, and weakness in the affected shoulder. Everyday activities like reaching, lifting, and throwing can become challenging and painful for individuals with this syndrome.
Exercise and physiotherapy aimed at strengthening the rotator cuff muscles are traditionally implied as the most effective management options for SAIS, however, hand-grip exercises have also been hypothesized to improve functional outcomes.
Clinical Trial
The main aim of the clinical trial was to explore whether handgrip strength exercises could improve shoulder pain, function, and strength in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Handgrip exercises involved squeezing a handgrip device to build strength in the forearm, hand, and fingers.
The researchers selected a group of 40 patients diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome and divided them into two groups: a control group and an intervention group. The control group received standard treatments, such as physical therapy, while the intervention group participated in handgrip strength exercises in addition to standard treatments. The researchers then assessed the participants' shoulder pain, function, range of motion, and strength before and after the intervention.