OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) to a sham technique in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed. Forty-two patients (mean +/- SD age 55 +/- 9 years; 81% female) satisfied eligibility criteria, agreed to participate, and were randomized into an MWM group (n = 21) or sham manual contact (n = 21). The primary outcome measures including pain intensity, pain during active range of motion, and maximal active range of motion were assessed by a clinician blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were captured at baseline and after 2 weeks of MWM treatment or sham intervention. The primary analysis was the group x time interaction. RESULTS: The 2x2 analysis of variance revealed a significant group x time interaction for pain intensity during shoulder flexion (F = 7.054; p = 0.011), pain-free shoulder flexion (F = 32.853; p < 0.001), maximum shoulder flexion (F = 18.791; p < 0.01), and shoulder external rotation (F = 7.950; p < 0.01) in favor of the MWM group. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with shoulder impingement syndrome who received 4 sessions of MWM exhibited significantly better outcomes for pain during shoulder flexion, pain-free range of shoulder flexion, maximal shoulder flexion, and maximal external rotation than those patients who were in the sham group.
Reprinted from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics with copyright permission from the National University of Health Sciences.

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