Shoulder Pain Prevention Program for Manual Wheelchair Users With Paraplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study investigated whether a shoulder pain prevention program (SPPP) could reduce the occurrence of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users with paraplegia. The program included shoulder exercises and techniques to improve mobility. Participants were divided into two groups receiving different formats of the SPPP: a traditional format with two sessions with a physical therapist, and an enhanced format with more sessions, peer mentoring, and phone calls. The results showed that both SPPP formats significantly reduced the development of shoulder pain compared to a control group that did not receive the intervention. Exercise adherence was found to be important for preventing shoulder pain.

• 1
  SPPPs reduced shoulder pain onset prevalence regardless of instruction format. SP onset was identical in the two SPPPs but was significantly lower at 18 and 36 months in both groups compared to controls.
• 2
  Self-reported average weekly exercise frequency was similar between intervention groups but was significantly lower during the first 4 months in participants who developed SP compared to those without pain.
• 3
  A traditional STOMPS format entailing two sessions with a physical therapist was as effective in reducing SP onset as an enhanced STOMPS intervention.