Strengthening Exercises for Humeral Head Depressor Muscles

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Conventional Rehabilitation Group: After randomization and baseline assessments, participants will undergo a standard 6-week postoperative shoulder rehabilitation program, consisting of range-of-motion exercises, scapular stabilization training, and progressive strengthening. No additional depressor muscle-specific exercises will be applied.

Depressor Muscle Strengthening Group: After randomization and baseline assessments, participants will receive a 6-week rehabilitation program consisting of conventional postoperative shoulder rehabilitation combined with a specific strengthening protocol targeting the shoulder depressor muscles.

Study summary

Postoperative rehabilitation after reverse shoulder arthroplasty aims to improve pain control, range of motion, and functional capacity. However, studies examining the effects of strengthening exercises targeting the humeral head depressor muscles are limited. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of adding a specific strengthening program to standard rehabilitation on pain, range of motion, quality of life, and functional outcomes.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS) — 6 weeks
  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, a 10-cm line ranging from "no pain" to "worst imaginable pain." The distance from the "no pain" anchor to the participant's mark will be measured in millimeters (0-100 mm), with higher scores indicating higher pain intensity.
• Upper Extremity Disability (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire - DASH) — 6 weeks
  The DASH is a 30-item self-administered questionnaire assessing upper-extremity functional limitations. Items are scored 1-5 and converted to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate greater disability.
• Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM) — 6 weeks
  Active shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation will be measured using a standard goniometer. Results will be recorded in degrees (°).

Trial sites (1)

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