Stretching procedures for posterior shoulder tightness – randomized clinical trial

Posterior shoulder tightness may be a contributing factor to subacromial impingement and recommend stretching as a prophylactic use for posterior shoulder tightness. The objectives of the present study were to compare effectiveness of four stretching exercises, “towel stretch”, “cross-body stretch in sitting”,“cross body stretch in supine” and the “sleeper stretch”, in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness.

The present randomized clinical trial was conducted among 80 an asymptomatic individual of both genders with posterior shoulder tightness from institute of physiotherapy and Anand cricket club, who were willing to take treatment for 4 weeks during the period of November 2007 to July 2008. A written informed consent was obtained from study subjects and ethical clearance was obtained. Their demographic data was collected and participants were randomly allocated into four groups of 20 each. Pre interventional measurements were taken in terms internal rotation of shoulder and flexibility of posterior capsule of shoulder. Shoulder stretchings were carried for a period of four weeks, following which post interventional measurements were taken.

In this study, participants of interventional group showed highly significant increase in internal rotation of shoulder (p=<0.001), flexibility of posterior capsule of shoulder (p=<0.001).

Sleeper stretch is more effective than cross body stretching in supine, cross body stretching in sitting and towel stretch in terms of flexibility and ROM that it is clinically significant.