OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of exercise training (ET) plus neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with ET alone on shoulder function, pain, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). DESIGN: Patients were randomly divided into groups of ET (n:24) and ET plus NMES (n:24). Shoulder function was evaluated with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire, pain level was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ROM was measured with a goniometer, muscle strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer baseline and at the end of treatment (week 8). RESULTS: In both groups, shoulder function, ROM, and muscle strength (except flexion muscle strength in the ET group) increased, while pain decreased (p < 0.05). Compared with the ET group, VAS-activity and VAS-night decreased more, and external rotation ROM and whole muscle strength increased more in the ET plus NMES group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the effect sizes were medium to large for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of NMES treatment to ET did not improve shoulder function, which is the primary outcome, more than ET alone, but increased muscle strength and ROM (external rotation only) and decreased pain (activity-night), which are the secondary outcomes.

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