EFFECTIVENESS OF PECTORALIS AND LOWER TRAPEZIUS EXERCISE USING PNF IN TREATING ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR WITH ROUNDED SHOULDER POSTURE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

This study aimed to determine the effects of pectoralis stretching and lower trapezius strengthening exercises (PSLTSE) using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on posture, shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain, and muscle tone in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair (RCR) and rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Following baseline measurements, participants ([Formula: see text]) with RCR were randomized into two groups: an experimental group ([Formula: see text] [11 male and 12 female; age: 56.69 years]), engaged in PNF-PSLTSE, and a control group ([Formula: see text] [12 male and 11 female; age: 54.09 years]), receiving traditional physical therapy. Each group participated in the intervention five times per week for two weeks. The RSP values for postural changes, flexion and abduction ROM, visual analog scale (VAS), and Myoton PRO of both groups were recorded pre- and post-intervention. A paired t-test was performed to compare differences within the groups pre- and post-intervention. An independent t-test was performed to compare differences between the both groups. After the intervention, RSP, ROM, VAS, and muscle tone improved significantly in the experimental and control groups ([Formula: see text]). The experimental group showed more effective changes in the RSP, ROM, VAS, and muscle tone than the control group ([Formula: see text]). The results suggested that PSLTSE using PNF reduced posture-related shoulder pain, and muscle tone and enhanced ROM in RCR patients with RSP.