Effects of Scapula Focused Exercise Program on Shoulder Pain in Paraplegic Patients Using Wheelchair

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a low incidence, high cost disability requiring tremendous changes in an individual lifestyle1. SCI shifts the demands of daily function and community mobility from the lower extremities to the upper extremities. As a consequence of the increased demand on the upper extremities, there is a high prevalence of shoulder pain with increased age and time since SCI.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of scapula focused exercise program on shoulder pain in paraplegic patients using wheelchair

Materials and Method: Study included 30 paraplegic subjects 20 males and 10 females who have shoulder pain and using wheelchair since 6 months. The patients were treated for a period of 8 weeks, 6 days a week, one session daily and the outcome was measured pre and post treatment by WUSPI (Wheelchair User Shoulder Pain Index).

Results: Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant difference between pre and post WUSPI score (z=-4.785, P<O.05). And the non parametric spearman rho correlation analysis showed age and duration have positive relationship with pre and post treatment WUSPI score (P<.05).

Conclusion: Scapula focused exercise program resulted in significant reductions in shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal injuries and shoulder pain.