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. 2022 Sep 9;58(9):1248.
doi: 10.3390/medicina58091248.

Effects of a Novel Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Device on Shoulder Joint Position Sense, Pain and Function

Alexandra Camelia Gliga  1   2   3 , Nicolae Emilian Neagu  3 , Septimiu Voidazan  3 , Horatiu Valeriu Popoviciu  4   5 , Tiberiu Bataga  1   6   7
Affiliations

Effects of a Novel Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Device on Shoulder Joint Position Sense, Pain and Function

Alexandra Camelia Gliga et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Shoulder disorders are associated with pain, restricted range of motion and muscular strength, moderate disability and diminished proprioception. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an innovative technology-supported and a classical therapist-based proprioceptive training program in addition to conventional physiotherapy, on joint position sense (JPS), pain and function, in individuals with different musculoskeletal shoulder disorders, such as rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement syndrome and superior labrum anterior and posterior tear. The innovative element of the proprioceptive training programme consists of the use of the Kinesimeter, a device created for both training and assessing shoulder JPS. Materials and Methods: The shoulder JPS test and the DASH outcome questionnaire were applied to fifty-five individuals (28 females, 27 males, mean age 56.31 ± 6.75), divided into three groups: 17 in the conventional physiotherapy group (control group); 19 in the conventional physiotherapy + classical proprioceptive training program group (CPT group); and 19 in the conventional physiotherapy + innovative proprioceptive training program group (KPT group). Assessments were performed before and after a four-week rehabilitation program, with five physiotherapy sessions per week. Results: When baseline and post-intervention results were compared, the value of the shoulder JPS and DASH outcome questionnaire improved significantly for the KPT and CPT groups (all p < 0.001). Both KPT and CPT groups showed statistically significant improvements in JPS, pain and function, compared to the control group which received no proprioceptive training (all p < 0.05). However, the KPT group showed no significant benefits compared to the CPT group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that using the Kinesimeter device as a novel, innovative proprioceptive training tool has similar effects as the classical proprioceptive training programs among individuals with different non-operated musculoskeletal shoulder disorders such as: rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement syndrome, and superior labrum anterior and posterior tear.

Keywords: DASH; device; joint position sense; proprioception; rehabilitation; shoulder joint.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Presentation of the Kinesimeter device: (a) the Kinesimeter axis, fixed and mobile arm position for shoulder JPS rehabilitation in flexion; (b) measurement and data transfer mechanism for real-time oscillograms; (c) sound generator used for auditory feedback.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Inter–group comparative analysis of the shoulder JPS.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Inter–group comparative analysis of the shoulder JPS.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Inter–group comparative analysis of the DASH Outcome Questionnaire score.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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