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Cited by 75Shoulder Injury and TreatmentMyofascial pain diagnosis and treatmentMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

A trial into the effectiveness of soft tissue massage in the treatment of shoulder pain

Open access
van den Dolder, Paul A, Roberts, David L·2003·Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
DOI 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60238-5
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Abstract

The purpose of this single blinded randomised controlled trial was to investigate the effects of soft tissue massage on range of motion, reported pain and reported function in patients with shoulder pain. Twenty-nine patients referred to physiotherapy for shoulder pain were randomly assigned to a treatment group that received six treatments of soft tissue massage around the shoulder (n = 15) or to a control group that received no treatment while on the waiting list for two weeks (n = 14). Measurements were taken both before and after the experimental period by a blinded assessor. Active range of motion was measured for flexion, abduction and hand-behind-back movements. Pain was assessed with the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ) and functional ability was assessed with the Patient Specific Functional Disability Measure (PSFDM). The treatment group showed significant improvements in range of motion compared with the control group for abduction (mean 42.2 degrees, 95% CI 24.1 to 60.4 degrees), flexion (mean 22.6 degrees, 95% CI 12.4 to 32.8 degrees) and hand-behind-back (mean 11.0 cm improvement, 95% CI 6.3 to 15.6 cm). Massage reduced pain as reported on the descriptive section of the SFMPQ by a mean of 4.9 points (95% CI 2.5 to 7.2 points) and on the visual analogue scale by an average of 26.5 mm (95% CI 5.3 to 47.6 mm), and it improved reported function on the PSFDM by a mean of 8.6 points (95% CI 4.9 to 12.3 points). We conclude that soft tissue massage around the shoulder is effective in improving range of motion, pain and function in patients with shoulder pain. The mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear.

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  • Massage therapy did not significantly affect shoulder abduction immediately (SMD 0.53; 95% CI −0.94 to 2.00; P = 0.48).

    “or shoulder abduction (n = 47; SMD, 0.53; 95% CI, −0.94 to 2.00; P = 0.48; heterogeneity: χ 2 = 5.71, P = 0.02, I 2 = 83%; Figure 4).”

    From Massage Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2013) · cites this paper as [11]

    The source's Table 4 reports a significant improvement in shoulder abduction after two weeks of massage (mean between-group difference 42.2 degrees; 95% CI 24.1 to 60.4; p < 0.001), contrary to the claimed nonsignificant effect. The Abstract describes a 29-patient trial, not the cited n = 47 analysis; our copy does not report its SMD or immediate-effect estimate. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Twelve randomized controlled trials were eligible and included in the systematic review.

    “Twelve high-quality studies were included.”

    From Massage Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2013) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Conclusion (page not provided) identifies this paper as a single randomized controlled trial, not a systematic review. The Results report 29 patients admitted to that trial, rather than twelve high-quality studies included in a review. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Massage therapy did not significantly affect shoulder flexion immediately (SMD 0.38; 95% CI −0.69 to 1.45; P = 0.49).

    “the meta-analyses did not show significant immediate effects of MT on shoulder flexion (n = 47; SMD, 0.38; 95% CI, −0.69 to 1.45; P = 0.49; heterogeneity: χ 2 = 3.17, P = 0.08, I 2 = 68%; Figure 4)”

    From Massage Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2013) · cites this paper as [11]

    Table 4 reports a statistically significant improvement in shoulder flexion after massage versus no treatment (22.6 degrees; 95% CI 12.4 to 32.8; p < 0.001), contrary to a claim of no significant effect in this trial. The paper reports 29 participants and does not report the cited pooled estimate for 47 participants; a meta-analysis could reach a different result, but this trial does not establish that result. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Authors
van den Dolder, P. A., & Roberts, D. L.
Affiliations
Concord Repatriation General Hospital (AU)
Venue
Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003
Volume
49
Issue
3
Pages
183-188
ISSN
0004-9514 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60238-5
OpenAlex
W2152814148
Cited by
75
References
34
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Australian Journal of Physiotherapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Shoulder Injury and Treatment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Myofascial pain diagnosis and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Keywords
soft tissue massage, shoulder pain, shoulder range of motion, analgesia, functional disability, physiotherapy, shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion
MeSH terms
Shoulder Injuries, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Disability Evaluation, Female, Humans, Male, Massage, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Range of Motion, Articular, Treatment Outcome, Patient Satisfaction, Shoulder Pain

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