The relationship between pain intensity and scapular endurance and core muscle functionality in rotator cuff tendinopathy

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between pain intensity and endurance of scapular muscles and functionality of core muscles in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Methods: Forty voluntary patients between 25-65 years old (25 women, 15 men) were involved in the study. The pain level, scapular endurance, and the functionality of core muscles were measured with numerical pain scale (NPRS), scapular muscular endurance test, single-leg wall stance test, and repetitive single-leg squat test, respectively.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.95 ± 10.12 years, the mean pain intensity was 6.57 ± 1.41. The mean scapular endurance of patients was 24,525±20,13 seconds. The mean of single-leg wall stance test was 12,9±10,01 sec, and the mean of repetitive single-leg squat test was 6,85±3,93 repeats. A significant negative correlation was found between pain intensity and scapular endurance (p= 0,021, r=-0,363). A significant negative correlation was found between pain intensity and the functionality of core muscles of patients (the mean of single-leg wall stance test, the mean of repetitive single-leg squat test) (p= 0,007, r=-0,417; p= 0,042, r=-0,323, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between scapular endurance and the functionality of core muscles of patients (the mean of single-leg wall stance test, the mean of repetitive single-leg squat test), (p= 0,001, r= 0,868; p= 0,001, r= 0,742, respectively).

Conclusion: Patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy reported moderate pain and it has been detected that the endurance of the scapular muscles and the functionality of the core muscles were decreased. It has also been shown that increase in pain intensity led to decrease in the endurance of the scapular muscles and the functionality of the core muscles. These results suggested that rehabilitation practices targeting the improvement of scapular muscle endurance and core muscle functionality should be considered in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs of patients diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Cite this article as: Erdoganoglu Y, Gorgulu O. The relationship between pain intensity and scapular endurance and core muscle functionality in rotator cuff tendinopathy. Turk J Sports Med. 2022;57(1):9-14; http://doi.org/10.47447/tjsm.0565

The approval for this study was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee of Uskudar University, İstanbul, Turkey (Decision no: 61351342-/ 2019-128 Date: 27.02.2019).

Concept All authors; Design All authors; Supervision YE; Materials YE; Data Collection and/or Processing ÖG; Analysis and Interpretation YE;ÖG; Literature Review YE;ÖG; Writing Manuscript YE;ÖG; Critical Reviews YE.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to authorship and/or publication of the article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or publication of this article.