In 2013, the preliminary study conducted by Desai, et. al., aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a scapular repositioning technique on pain and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with acute spasmodic torticollis. The study focused on understanding how this technique could alleviate symptoms associated with this condition.

A randomized, single-blind pilot study was conducted with 23 individuals aged 20-40 years, all clinically diagnosed with spasmodic torticollis. Participants were divided into two groups: one received only conventional physiotherapy (including microwave diathermy, submaximal isometrics, and ergonomic advice), while the other group received an additional intervention of scapular repositioning with active cervical rotation alongside the conventional therapy. Pain intensity, cervical active ranges of motion, and PPT were measured before and after the intervention.

The findings revealed significant improvements in the intervention group that received scapular repositioning along with conventional therapy. These participants experienced a notable decrease in pain intensity (P < .01), enhanced cervical rotation to the ipsilateral side (P < .01), improved cervical side flexion to the contralateral side (P < .01), and increased PPT (P < .01) immediately following the treatment.

In contrast, the comparison group that received only conventional physiotherapy did not exhibit the same level of improvement in these measures. This highlights the potential added benefit of incorporating scapular repositioning techniques in the treatment regimen for spasmodic torticollis.

This pilot study demonstrates that scapular repositioning may offer immediate hypoalgesic effects for individuals suffering from spasmodic torticollis, improving pain severity, PPT, and cervical range of motion. These promising results suggest the need for further controlled trials to validate these findings and explore the long-term benefits of this intervention.

Reference: Desai, N. A., Khatri, S. M., & Agarwal, A. B. (2013). Immediate effect of scapular repositioning with active cervical rotation in acute spasmodic torticollis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 36(7), 412-417.