OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the effects of six weeks sensorimotor and sensorimotor with passive interventions programs on pain, electromyography (EMG) and kinematics in patients with scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Institutional practice. PARTICIPANTS: 140 active subjects with unilateral SDRS were randomized to three groups. Group one received sensorimotor (n = 46), group two received sensorimotor with passive interventions (n = 48), and group three received active self-exercise as a control group (n = 46). Pain, EMG of the levator scapula (LS), upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA), as well as kinematics were measured at the baseline and after the interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: pain -- secondary outcomes: EMG and kinematics. RESULTS: There were significant between-group differences between intervention groups one and two in pain, LS and SA onset activation favoring group two and LS muscle activity favoring group one. There were significant within-group changes in almost all dependent variables except LT muscle onset activation in both groups one and two. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of passive interventions on the scapula and neck may be superior to conservative training alone on the scapula and neck for improving neck pain, EMG and kinematics in participants with SDRS.

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