Exercise for Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Heavy Slow Resistance Exercise for Subacromial Pain Syndrome

This study evaluates the effect of Heavy Slow Resistance exercise (HSR) exercise in comparison with traditional supervised exercise as treatment for patients with subacromial shoulder pain. The purpose is to evaluate if HSR is feasible fir these patients, and compare its effect to traditional exercise at pain and function of the shoulder. One half will complete the heavy slow resistance exercise, the other will complete the conventional exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Shoulder pain > Three months
• Subacromial pain
• Dysfunction or pain during abduction
• Pain during isometric strength test of abduction or external rotation of the shoulder.
• Positive Hawkins test
• Normal passive range of movement in the glenohumeral joint

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgery of the affected shoulder
• Patients that are not considered suitable to complete the treatment, or able to answer a Norwegian questionnaire
• Shoulder dislocation or shoulder instability
• Clinical sign of cervical nerve root affection
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Clinical sign of full rupture of the rotator cuff.
• Pregnancy
• Cortisone injection past six weeks