EFFECTS OF BREATHING EXERCISES ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONALITY IN ROTATOR CUFF TEARS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

EFFECTS OF BREATHING EXERCISES ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONALITY IN ROTATOR CUFF TEARS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

As it causes pain and disability in individuals with rotator cuff lesions, which is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, it affects performance in activities of daily living. Shoulder pain significantly affects the quality of life of individuals. The aim of conventional treatment in Rotator Cuff injuries is to reduce the inflammation in the area and to enable the shoulder to perform its normal functions. Conventional treatment is to restore muscle balance in the shoulder area. Muscle balance is achieved by strengthening the teres minor, infraspinatus, and subscapularis, which are also the humeral head depressors, and by strengthening the serratus anterior, levator scapula. For strengthening, the shoulder must have a full range of motion. In our study, stretching exercises, cold pack, Ultrasound, TENS, wand, and Codman exercises, which are classical physiotherapy methods, will be applied to all three groups. There are also studies in the literature investigating the effects of traditional physiotherapy methods on individuals with shoulder Rotator Cuff syndrome. The benefits of breathing exercises on pain, shoulder joint range of motion, and balance have all been researched in the literature. Increased diaphragm activity also guarantees that posture and body positions are maintained healthily. Diaphragm activity generally alters how an individual perceives pain. Diaphragmatic breathing is a therapeutic approach for musculoskeletal disorders.

Breathing techniques have been demonstrated to reduce shoulder pain and increase ROM at the literature. However, no study has been found on the effectiveness of breathing exercises applied in addition to conventional physiotherapy in individuals with Rotator Cuff syndrome.

Based on all of this knowledge, it was designed for this study to examine the efficacy of breathing exercises used in combination with traditional physiotherapy in patients with Rotator Cuff syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The participants were between the ages of 30 and 55
2. No history of shoulder surgery
3. Exhibited restricted shoulder joint range of motion,
4. A diagnosed rotator cuff tear

Exclusion Criteria:

1. individuals with a history of significant shoulder trauma
2. anatomical deformities, skeletal fractures, diagnosed orthopedic or rheumatologic disorders, participation in a physiotherapy program within the last six months
3. Presence of a cardiac pacemaker, current infections, recent myocardial infarction (within the last six months), or any other condition that could interfere with their ability to perform the prescribed exercises