Rotator cuff isometric exercises in combination with scapular muscle strengthening and stretching in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy: A multiple-subject case report

Background and purpose: To assess the effects of a rehabilitation protocol of rotator cuff (RC) isometrics coupled with traditional shoulder exercises on patient-rated outcomes, muscle strength, and electromyographic activity in individuals with RC tendinopathy. Methods: Eleven individuals (8 women and 3 men, 37.9 +/- 5.6 years) with RC tendinopathy performed isometric RC exercises in combination with scapular muscle stretching and strengthening for 6 weeks. Treatment effects were assessed with patient-rated pain and shoulder function, isometric muscle strength, electromyographic activity during arm elevation and internal and external shoulder rotation, and pain during arm elevation before and at the end of the first session, and after 6 weeks of intervention. Results: There were improvements in pain and shoulder function, increased isometric muscle strength for arm elevation and internal rotation, increased muscle activity of the infraspinatus and serratus anterior, and reduced pain during arm elevation after 6 weeks of intervention. Discussion: This case report showed improvements on pain and function, increases on isometric strength of the shoulder and on electromyographic activity of the serratus anterior and infraspinatus muscles, as well as decreases on pain during arm elevation, after a 6-week intervention of RC isometric exercises associated with scapular muscle stretching and strengthening in patients with RC tendinopathy.