Abstract
BACKGROUND: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common issue among athletes, especially volleyball players, leading to pain and limited function. To evaluate effectiveness of combining modified mobilization with movement (MWM) and motor learning principles with traditional physical therapy for treating shoulder impingement syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Pharos University Alexandria from May to November 2021 with 30 female volleyball players (aged 20-35 years) experiencing unilateral SIS. Eligibility required a history of shoulder pain over one week, limited range of motion with proximal anterolateral shoulder pain, a medical SIS diagnosis, and two positive impingement tests (Neer, Hawkins-Kennedy, or Jobe's). Exclusion criteria included fibromyalgia, shoulder fractures, dislocations, subluxations, tendon ruptures, prior surgery, trauma-induced pain, numbness, recent corticosteroid injections, ligamentous laxity, and systemic illnesses. Participants were randomized into Group A (traditional therapy) and Group B (therapy with MWM and motor learning). Each group received nine treatment sessions over three weeks (three per week). Pain was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS), and shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM) were assessed using a goniometer at baseline and after the 9(th) session. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS version 27. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 31.63 ± 3.91 years. Both groups showed significant improvements in pain and ROM, but Group B demonstrated superior results, with VAS scores decreasing from 6.00 to 0.93 and significant increases in flexion (56.86°) and abduction (58.13°) with (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined approach of mobilization with movement (MWM) and motor learning with traditional therapy significantly enhanced pain and ROM recovery in athletes with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).