Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial
Background: Scapular dyskinesia is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery due to thoracic immobility, pectoral tightness, and muscle imbalances, contributing to persistent shoulder pain and functional deficits. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of scapular clock exercises combin...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Rand Publications
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | The Rehabilitation Journal |
| Online Access: | https://ojs.trjournal.org/index.php/trehabj/article/view/98 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849430379313758208 |
|---|---|
| author | Izza Ayub Sana Zahir Aqsa Shahid Rohail Amir Babar Amir Mushtaq |
| author_facet | Izza Ayub Sana Zahir Aqsa Shahid Rohail Amir Babar Amir Mushtaq |
| author_sort | Izza Ayub |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Scapular dyskinesia is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery due to thoracic immobility, pectoral tightness, and muscle imbalances, contributing to persistent shoulder pain and functional deficits.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of scapular clock exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy versus conventional physiotherapy alone in reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM), and enhancing shoulder function in post-operative cardiac patients.
Material and Methods: This randomized clinical trial included n=28 post-cardiac surgery patients with scapular dyskinesia, who were allocated to either Group A (scapular clock exercises plus conventional physiotherapy) or Group B (conventional physiotherapy). Both groups were treated thrice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and secondary outcomes included QuickDASH and shoulder ROM. Statistical analysis was conducted using RM-ANOVA and independent t-tests.
Results: The mean age of n=17(60%) male and n=11(40%) female subjects were 55.21±7 years. Both groups significantly improved pain, disability, and ROM over 4 weeks (p<0.05). Group A demonstrated markedly greater improvements in NPRS, QuickDASH, and all ROM directions at 2- and 4-week follow-ups compared to Group B, with large effect sizes.
Conclusion: Scapular clock exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy offer superior outcomes for pain, disability, and mobility compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating targeted scapular exercises into cardiac rehabilitation to address under-recognized musculoskeletal deficits.
Keywords: scapular clock exercises; postoperative rehabilitation; numeric pain rating scale (NPRS); quickdash; resistance training; post sternotomy complications; physiotherapy; upper limb function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efee48e9a1ca41eabb52c4b78709ad12 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2521-344X 2521-3458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Rand Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Rehabilitation Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-efee48e9a1ca41eabb52c4b78709ad122025-08-20T03:28:00ZengRand PublicationsThe Rehabilitation Journal2521-344X2521-34582025-06-010902344010.52567/trehabj.v9i02.98Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trialIzza AyubSana ZahirAqsa ShahidRohail Amir BabarAmir Mushtaq Background: Scapular dyskinesia is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery due to thoracic immobility, pectoral tightness, and muscle imbalances, contributing to persistent shoulder pain and functional deficits. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of scapular clock exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy versus conventional physiotherapy alone in reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM), and enhancing shoulder function in post-operative cardiac patients. Material and Methods: This randomized clinical trial included n=28 post-cardiac surgery patients with scapular dyskinesia, who were allocated to either Group A (scapular clock exercises plus conventional physiotherapy) or Group B (conventional physiotherapy). Both groups were treated thrice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and secondary outcomes included QuickDASH and shoulder ROM. Statistical analysis was conducted using RM-ANOVA and independent t-tests. Results: The mean age of n=17(60%) male and n=11(40%) female subjects were 55.21±7 years. Both groups significantly improved pain, disability, and ROM over 4 weeks (p<0.05). Group A demonstrated markedly greater improvements in NPRS, QuickDASH, and all ROM directions at 2- and 4-week follow-ups compared to Group B, with large effect sizes. Conclusion: Scapular clock exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy offer superior outcomes for pain, disability, and mobility compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating targeted scapular exercises into cardiac rehabilitation to address under-recognized musculoskeletal deficits. Keywords: scapular clock exercises; postoperative rehabilitation; numeric pain rating scale (NPRS); quickdash; resistance training; post sternotomy complications; physiotherapy; upper limb function.https://ojs.trjournal.org/index.php/trehabj/article/view/98 |
| spellingShingle | Izza Ayub Sana Zahir Aqsa Shahid Rohail Amir Babar Amir Mushtaq Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial The Rehabilitation Journal |
| title | Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial |
| title_full | Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial |
| title_short | Effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients: A randomized clinical trial |
| title_sort | effectiveness of scapular clock exercises in scapular dyskinesia in post operative cardiac patients a randomized clinical trial |
| url | https://ojs.trjournal.org/index.php/trehabj/article/view/98 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT izzaayub effectivenessofscapularclockexercisesinscapulardyskinesiainpostoperativecardiacpatientsarandomizedclinicaltrial AT sanazahir effectivenessofscapularclockexercisesinscapulardyskinesiainpostoperativecardiacpatientsarandomizedclinicaltrial AT aqsashahid effectivenessofscapularclockexercisesinscapulardyskinesiainpostoperativecardiacpatientsarandomizedclinicaltrial AT rohailamirbabar effectivenessofscapularclockexercisesinscapulardyskinesiainpostoperativecardiacpatientsarandomizedclinicaltrial AT amirmushtaq effectivenessofscapularclockexercisesinscapulardyskinesiainpostoperativecardiacpatientsarandomizedclinicaltrial |