COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE AND SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION IN SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT SYNDROM: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) ranks as the third most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, primarily causing pain and limited range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder during overhead activities. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) in reducing pain, enhancing ROM, and decreasing disability in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 participants with SIS from Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, were randomly assigned into two groups via a computer-generated allocation method. Both groups received ultrasound therapy as a baseline treatment. Group A was treated with ART, and Group B with STM, over 12 sessions across four weeks. Pain, shoulder elevation, external rotation, and disability were assessed at baseline, the second week, and the fourth week using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a goniometer, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Results: Both treatment protocols demonstrated significant improvements in pain reduction and ROM with statistical significance (p<0.05) noted in both elevation and external rotation across the treatments. However, STM was more effective in reducing pain and enhancing functional outcomes compared to ART. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Soft Tissue Mobilization is more effective than Active Release Technique in treating symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome, supporting its use as an early intervention strategy to alleviate pain and improve function and ROM.