The Effectiveness of Selective Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Muscle Function, and Scapular Position in Patients with Rounded Shoulder and Chronic Neck Pain

Objective: This study compared pain, muscle power (MP), muscle thickness (MT), and normalized position of the scapula (POS) between general physical therapy and general physical therapy with strengthening exercises of the lower trapezius in patients with rounded shoulder and chronic neck pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were 30 patients of W hospital in Gangnamgu, Seoul, with rounded shoulders who were diagnosed with chronic neck pain. Rounded shoulder was defined as a distance between the surface and acromion of ＞1 inch in the supine position. The participants were assigned to an experimental group (n＝15) and a control group (n＝15). The experimental group completed four types of strengthening exercises program for 15 minutes, twice weekly, for a total of 5 weeks. Soft tissue mobilization (STM), cervical extension flexion rotation (CEFR), and physical modality were also performed in both groups. Results: The degree of pain was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS), MP was measured a handheld dynamometer, MT was measured by ultrasound, and POS was measured using a tapeline. Significant between-group differences were observed in VAS, MP, MP, and POS. Significant changes were observed in the experimental group for VAS, MP, MT, and POS. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it was indicated that lower trapezius strengthening exercises performed together with general physical therapy was significantly improved in pain, MP, MT, and POS in patients with rounded shoulder and chronic neck pain compared to when general physical therapy was performed alone.