EFFECT OF MULLIGAN’S POSTEROLATERAL GLIDE ON SHOULDER ROTATOR STRENGTH, SCAPULAR UPWARD ROTATION IN SHOULDER PAIN SUBJECTS – A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background and objectives: Joints may have an effect on the function of the surrounding muscles through nociceptors and mechanoreceptors. Pain reduction in the shoulder might lead to improved function of the muscles surrounding the shoulder in individuals with shoulder pain. The aim of our work was to determine the acute effect of Mulligan’s posterolateral glide on shoulder rotator strength, scapular motor control, and pain in painful shoulders. Methodology: Individuals with shoulder pain were randomly assigned to a control active exercise group and an experimental Mulligan’s posterolateral glide group. VAS, scapular upward rotation and shoulder rotator strength were the outcomes measured before and after three sessions of intervention. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyze the differences between the groups after the intervention. Results: A total of 31 subjects with shoulder pain participated in the study. After the intervention, VAS scores ([Formula: see text] (1, 29) [Formula: see text] 27, [Formula: see text]) and Shoulder external rotator strength ([Formula: see text] (1, 29) [Formula: see text] 4.6, [Formula: see text]) were statistically significantly different between both the groups as revealed by one-way MANOVA. There were no significant differences found between the groups in scapular upward rotation ([Formula: see text] (1, 29) [Formula: see text] 0.09, [Formula: see text]) and internal rotator strength ([Formula: see text] (1, 29) [Formula: see text] 0.03, [Formula: see text]) post treatment. Pain scores were lesser and the external rotation strength was higher after Mulligans’ mobilization when compared to active exercise. Conclusion: Mulligan’s mobilization with posterolateral glide was effective in reducing pain and improving external rotator strength in individuals with painful shoulders when compare to active exercise. There were no significant differences noted in shoulder internal rotator strength and scapular upward rotation.