Shoulder Muscle Massage Shoulder Stiffness
Shoulder Muscle Massage Shoulder Stiffness
The investigators investigated the effect and predictors of effectiveness of massage in the
 treatment of patients with posterior shoulder stiffness. This is a randomized controlled
 trial study- massage and control (hand touch) two times a week for 4 weeks. A total of 60
 patients with posterior shoulder tightness were randomized into 2 groups; 52 of them
 completed this study (29 for the massage and 23 for the control). Patient sex, age, body mass
 index, glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion (ROM), duration of symptom, functional
 status, and muscle stiffness were recorded. Additionally, for the massage group, patients
 with glenohumeral internal rotation improvement of 20 degrees after massage were considered
 responsive, and the others were considered nonresponsive. The influences of the
 aftermentioned factors on the effectiveness of massage were analyzed by multivariate
 logistric regression. The overall mean internal rotation ROM increased significantly after
 massage (from 31.9° to 54.9°; P < 0.001) compared to the control (from 28.7° to 34.9°; P >
 0.05). There were 22 patients in the responsive group and 7 in the nonresponsive group. Among
 the factors, duration of symptoms, FLEX-SF score, and posterior deltoid stiffness were
 significant predictors of effectiveness of massage. Massage was an effective treatment for
 subjects with posterior shoulder stiffness, but was less effective in patients with longer
 duration of symptoms, higher functional limitation, and less posterior deltoid stiffness.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. a limited ROM of internal rotation (internal rotation ROM < 20% to the sound side),
 and

 2. pain and stiffness in the shoulder region for at least 3 months.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. surgery on the particular shoulder,

 2. rheumatoid arthritis,

 3. stroke with residual shoulder involvement,

 4. fracture of the shoulder complex,

 5. rotator cuff deficiency, and

 6. resting pain, intolerable pain, or muscle spasm during active and/or passive motion.