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Impact of Proximal Motor Control Exercise on Scapular Muscles Activation Pattern in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Mastectomy
Sponsor: Ahram Canadian University
Summary
This prospective, single-center, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction. Women aged 35-55 years were randomly allocated to receive either PMCE plus CPT or CPT alone. Both groups attended supervised physiotherapy sessions three times weekly for 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was scapular and shoulder muscle activation assessed using surface electromyography (SEMG), while secondary outcomes included shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
Official title: Impact of Proximal Motor Control Exercises on Scapular Muscles Activation Pattern in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
35 Years - 55 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2025-08-05
Completion Date
2026-09-07
Last Updated
2026-09-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Proximal Motor Control exercises
The PMCE program was: Participants were trained to achieve and maintain optimal scapular positioning using visual, verbal, tactile, and kinesthetic feedback, followed by controlled arm elevation to 90° in the sagittal, frontal, and scapular planes. Muscle-specific exercises included prone 135° elevation for the lower trapezius, wall slides with scapular protraction for the serratus anterior, full-can scaption for the supraspinatus, and resisted external rotation for the infraspinatus. Upper trapezius activation was incorporated during controlled arm elevation. Exercises were performed for three sets of 10 repetitions with 6-second holds and 60-90 seconds of rest. Resistance started at approximately 0.5-1.0 kg and was progressively increased according to the participant's ability to maintain proper scapular alignment without compensatory movement or increased symptoms. The PMCE program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks.
Conventional physical therapy
CPT consisted of glenohumeral joint mobilization, posterior capsule stretching, and Codman pendulum exercises. Joint mobilization included distraction, caudal, and posterior glides using Grade 1-2 oscillations for approximately 2 minutes. Posterior capsule stretching was performed with the shoulder at 90° flexion, holding each stretch for 20 seconds for 10 repetitions with 30 seconds of rest. Codman pendulum exercises were performed in anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and circular directions without resistance to facilitate gentle shoulder mobility. The CPT program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks.
Locations (1)
Out patient clinic , faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian university
Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypt