The Mechanical Properties and Functional Performance of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Effects of Therapeutic Exercise for Different Pathomechanisms

Shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder in upper extremity. The pathomechanism includes intrinsic and extrinsic factors may affect the symptoms and should be considered for treatment approach. In previous studies, the sonographic morphology and elastography of supraspinatus have shown the characteristics of tendinopathy. In addition, the patients showed the deficits in scapulohumeral movement and muscle control. The interventions with therapeutic exercise have shown the good functional outcome. However, there was no study focusing on the association between sonography examinations and scapulohumeral controls during external rotator contraction. Also, the biomechanical outcomes after exercise intervention for tendinopathy was also lack. Hence, the aim of this study tries to analyze the characteristics of muscle morphology and elasticity of supraspinatus during different contraction modes, and to investigate the relationship between the scapula kinematics and the characteristics of elasticity and muscle morphology. The second aim is to determine the different patterns of scapula dyskinesia and supraspinatus morphology between patients with tendinopathic supraspinatus with tendon partial-tear at bursal and articular side. In addition to determine the particular patterns, the effects of eight-week interventions with eccentric training for supraspinatus or stabilization exercise for scapula on movement control and supraspinatus morphology in patients with intrinsic and extrinsic tendinopathy will be analyzed.

Project ID:PB10907-4035
External Project ID:MOST109-2221-E182-064