Neuromuscular Effects of an 8-Week Aquatic Training Program on Pain, Range of Motion and Electromyography in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

Purpose: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most prevalent issue among shoulder disorders.Given the promising outcomes of aquatic physiotherapy in rehabilitation, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of an 8-week aquatic training program on pain, range of motion, and electrical activity in the shoulder of pre-elderly patients suffering from SIS.Methods: 30 men of military retirees aged 60 years and older, were voluntarily recruited and then randomly assigned into experimental and control groups.The experimental group participated in an eight-week program of aquatic training.Pain, range of motion, and shoulder muscle activity were investigated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), electrogoniometer, and electromyography, respectively-twice as pre and post-test.Results: Results showed significant differences between groups in pain scale, shoulder external and internal rotation (P < 0.001), shoulder abduction (P = 0.002) and muscle electrical activity of serratus anterior (P < 0.001), but not in shoulder flexion (P = 0.082) and muscle activity of upper trapezius (P = 0.075). Conclusions:Our aquatic training program may profoundly impact regaining shoulder range of motion and recovery from shoulder pain in patients with SIS.Further research is warranted to assess a different and more specialized aquatic program to properly affect shoulder flexion and trapezius muscle function, which were not improved by the present intervention.