Scapular Stabilization Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique in Scapular Dyskinesis

NCT07841652 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/25/12/0039
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 86
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Office workers, typically engaged in administrative or professional roles, are increasingly susceptible to scapular dyskinesis (SD). Poor ergonomic setups at workstations have been identified as a major contributing factor to musculoskeletal discomfort in this population. Scapular stabilization and neuromuscular training have shown efficacy in improving scapular mechanics. However, direct comparisons of these interventions in office worker populations remain limited. To address this knowledge gap, a randomized clinical trial was conducted to directly compare the two treatment approaches. Outcome measures included the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Scapular Assistance Test (SAT), Visual Scapular Dyskinesis Test, digital inclinometer, and digital vernier caliper to determine which method is more effective in reducing pain, disability, and improving ROM, and scapular kinematic and neuromuscular control in office workers with Scapular Dyskinesis.

Conditions

Scapular Dyskinesis

Keywords

Scapular dyskinesis; Office workers; Scapular stabilization exercises; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; pain; disability; range of motion; scapular motor control

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain intensity

  Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS; 0-10), 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain.

  At baseline, at 3rd week and at 6th week.

• Upper extremity functional disability

  (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire - DASH), Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability (better function) and 100 indicates the greatest disability (worse function).

  at baseline, at 3rd week and at 6th week.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Shoulder range of motion (ROM)

  at baseline, at 3rd week and at 6th week

• Scapular kinematics

  at baseline ,at 3rd week and at 6th week.

• Neuromuscular control

  at baseline, at 3rd week and at 6th week.

• Neuromuscular Control

  at baseline, 3rd week and at 6th week.

Study Arms (2)

Scapular Stabilization + Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received scapular stabilization exercises combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and moist heat. Each 55-minute session consisted of 10 minutes of moist heat, 25 minutes of scapular stabilization exercises, and 20 minutes of PNF training. Treatment will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions.

Other: Scapular Stabilization Exercises+ Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Scapular Stabilization Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm received scapular stabilization exercises combined with warm-up and mobility exercises and moist heat. Each 55-minute session consisted of 10 minutes of moist heat, 20 minutes of warm-up and mobility exercises, and 25 minutes of scapular stabilization exercises. Treatment will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions.

Other: Patient engagement through warm-up and Scapular Stabilization exercises

Interventions

Scapular Stabilization Exercises+ Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation OTHER

The group received standard conventional treatment consisting of a moist heating pad applied for 10 minutes, followed by 25 minutes of scapular stabilization exercises and 20 minutes of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Treatment was administered three times per week for six weeks. The scapular stabilization component included prone Y, T, and W raises performed in a prone position, with the arms elevated approximately 10-15 cm while maintaining scapular retraction and depression. Participants performed 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions with a 2-second pause. Scapular push-ups were performed from a prone plank position with active scapular protraction for 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions. Wall-slide elevation with mirror feedback was performed for 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions while maintaining scapular control. Resistance-band rows were performed for 12-15 repetitions. Scapular D1 and D2 PNF patterns were performed with light manual resistance, 3 sets of 8-10 reps with 5-second holds.

Scapular Stabilization + Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Group

Patient engagement through warm-up and Scapular Stabilization exercises OTHER

Patients performed low-intensity engagement exercises to improve adherence, relaxation, and patient comfort during rehabilitation sessions. These activities included wall climbing (finger ladder/wall stair exercises), pendulum exercises, shoulder rolls, active shoulder range-of-motion exercises, pectoralis stretching, and thoracic mobility exercises performed within a pain-free range. Application of moist heating pad for 10 minutes. , 20 minutes of patient engagement+25 min scapular stabilization. 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercises included Prone Y/T/W raises performed in prone position, with the arms raised 10-15 cm to create T, Y (thumbs up), and W positions while maintaining scapular retraction and depression. Participants performed 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions, with a 2-second pause. Scapular push-ups were performed from a prone plank position with engaged scapular protraction for 3 sets of 8-10 reps. Wall-slide elevation with mirror feedback.

Scapular Stabilization Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both male and females
• White-collar jobbers working ≥4 h/day, 40 h/week; \>1 year experience.
• Pain 4-7/10 (NPRS)
• Positive Scapular Assistance Test (SAT) and Lateral Scapular Slide Test LSST, confirmed by a physical therapist.

You may not qualify if:

• Orthopedic upper-extremity injury in last 3 weeks; prior shoulder/upper-limb surgery.
• Neurological disorders of neck/upper limb; current participation in upper-limb rehab.
• Postural deformities (e.g., scoliosis, cervical pathology); pregnancy; conditions preventing scapular testing; history of major trauma (e.g., RTA, spinal disc pathology).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54782, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Sahreen Anwar, Ph.D

  University of Lahore

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 28, 2026
• First Posted: September 25, 2026
• Study Start: November 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 20, 2026
• Last Updated: September 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)