NCT07067216

Combined Effect of Biofeedback and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Children With Swimmer's Shoulder

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 9 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effect of biofeedback and scapular stabilization exercises on swimmer's shoulder in pediatric elite swimmers.

Detailed description

Swimmer's shoulder is the most common injury in swimmers and is defined as a painful syndrome that occurs mostly in the anterior region of the shoulder and results from repetitive impingement of the rotator cuff under the coracoacromial arch during the technical gesture of swimming. Shoulder injuries have been reported in up to 90% of swimmers. The scapula is vital in shoulder function and abnormal scapulothoracic mechanics and scapula-humeral rhythm have been implicated in shoulder pathologies, including glenohumeral impingement and rotator cuff tears. When weakness or dysfunction is present in the scapular musculature, normal scapular positioning and mechanics may become altered which result in abnormal stresses to the capsular structures, rotator cuff compression and reduced performance. Knowledge of scapulothoracic movements is regarded as crucial in the development of preventative strategies and treatment programs in athletes with shoulder pathology. Scapula upward rotation is the dominant scapula action throughout shoulder elevation and has been previously implicated in the development of impingement. In swimming, an athlete's scapular musculature plays a pivotal role in stabilizing and preventing impingement because its continuous activation is required throughout the swim stroke. During all movements of the glenohumeral joint especially overhead elevation of the arm, it is of great importance that the scapular- stabilizing musculature should be strong enough to properly position the scapula. The main scapula stabilizers are the Levator Scapulae, Rhomboids major and minor, Serratus anterior, and Trapezii. These muscle groups function through synergistic co- contraction with rotator cuff to control the scapular movement. Scapular stabilization exercise aims to restore scapular position, orientations, motor control of muscles, and movement pattern, thereby attaining stability of scapula for better kinematics of shoulder. Due to lack of research area of scapular stabilization using a pressure biofeedback on swimmer's shoulder in pediatric swimmers, so the purpose of the study is to investigate the combined effect of scapular stabilization and biofeedback in children with swimmer's shoulder.

Conditions

• Swimmer Shoulder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Designed scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback	Patients will attend 1-hour physical therapy sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks. The program will include posterior capsule mobilization, scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback (targeting lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, deep cervical flexors, and scapular retractors), and strengthening exercises using therabands: external rotation, shoulder diagonals, rows, and extensions. Additional training will involve physioball scapular exercises (up/down \& side/side), prone scapular strengthening (e.g., TYI, superman), and scapular-clock drills to improve mobility, proprioception, and stability.
OTHER	Designed physical therapy program	Patients will receive cryotherapy and perform stretching exercises for the pectoralis minor and posterior capsule. Strengthening exercises using theraband will target the rotator cuff (especially external rotators) and scapular depressors/retractors. Scapular stabilization will be trained through prone exercises on a ball (T, Y, W) and on a plinth, including rowing, horizontal abduction, extension, superman, and TYI exercises. Additionally, patients will perform the scapular-clock exercise to enhance mobility, control, and proprioception.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-12
• Primary completion: 2025-10-12
• Completion: 2025-10-26
• First posted: 2025-07-16
• Last updated: 2025-07-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt