Scapular kinematics and subacromial-impingement syndrome: a meta-analysis (original) (raw)

The literature does not present a consistent pattern of altered scapular kinematics in patients with shoulder-impingement syndrome (SIS). To perform meta-analyses of published comparative studies to determine the consistent differences in scapular kinematics between subjects with SIS and controls. In addition, the purpose was to analyze factors of the data-collection methods to explain the inconsistencies in reported kinematics. The results of this study will help guide future research and enable our understanding of the relationship between scapular kinematics and SIS. A search identified 65 studies; 9 papers met inclusion criteria. Sample sizes, means, and SDs of 5 scapular-kinematic variables were extracted or obtained from each paper's lead author. Standard difference in the mean between SIS and controls was calculated. Moderator variables were plane of arm elevation, level of arm elevation (ARM) and population (POP). Overall, the SIS group had less scapular upward rotation ...