Can the efficacy of subacromial corticosteroid injection be improved using a singlesession mobilization treatment in subacromial impingement syndrome? A randomized single-blind controlled trial

Abstract

Background/aim: The objective in this study is to assess the short-term effects of a single-session mobilization in addition to subacromialcorticosteroid (SACS) injection in impingement syndrome.Materials and methods: The study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled single-blind, parallel group clinical trial.Patients (totally 84) were divided randomly into two groups equally. Forty-two patients in Group 1 received mobilization and SACSinjection, whereas 42 patients in Group 2 only received SACS injections. A single SACS injection was applied in all patients. Mobilizationwas administered as a single session right after SACS injection. Patients’ evaluations were performed measuring active range of motion(AROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) during activity and rest, and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (DASH) prior totreatment and in the first and fourth weeks following the treatment.Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in terms of AROM, VAS, and DASH scores in each evaluation step (P 0.05).Visual analogue scale activity in the first week was significantly better in Group 1 (P 0.028). Also, flexion and abduction degreesshowed significantly better outcomes in Group 1 (P 0.007, P 0.036).Conclusion: Addition of single-session mobilization might provide rapid improvement in flexion and abduction as well as early painrelief following SACS injections.