In 1999, a study conducted by K. A. Curtis et. al., the effectiveness of a 6-month exercise protocol on mitigating shoulder pain among long-term wheelchair users was investigated. The purpose of the research was to analyze the impact of a specific set of shoulder exercises on pain experienced during functional activities in this population.

Forty-two wheelchair users, comprising 35 males and seven females, with an average age of 35 years and an average wheelchair usage duration of 14 years, were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (n=21) or the control group (n=21). The treatment group received comprehensive instruction in five shoulder exercises, encompassing two stretches for the anterior shoulder musculature and three strengthening exercises for the posterior shoulder musculature. These exercises were performed daily over the 6-month intervention period.

To assess the efficacy of the exercise protocol, all subjects completed a self-report questionnaire and the Wheelchair Users Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) at the beginning of the study and at bimonthly intervals throughout the intervention.

An initial analysis revealed that 75% of the participants reported a history of shoulder pain since the onset of wheelchair use. The average initial performance-corrected (PC-WUSPI) score for all 42 subjects was 17.7 (+/-21.3), with scores ranging from 0 to 103.2 points. Remarkably, over 83% of the subjects (35 out of 42) completed the full 6-month study. Notably, participants in the treatment group exhibited a significant decrease in their PC-WUSPI scores, averaging 39.9%, in contrast to a minimal decrease of 2.5% observed in the control group.

The study’s findings strongly support the effectiveness of the prescribed exercise protocol in reducing the intensity of shoulder pain that hinders functional activities in long-term wheelchair users. This research highlights the potential positive impact of targeted shoulder exercises in enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for individuals relying on wheelchairs for mobility.

Reference: Curtis, K. A., Tyner, T. M., Zachary, L., Lentell, G., Brink, D., Didyk, T., & Pacillas, B. (1999). Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long-term wheelchair users. Spinal cord, 37(6), 421-429.