Effects of Motor Control Retraining and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Females With Scapular Dyskinesia.

Combine Effects of Motor Control Retraining and Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Strength and Function in Breast Feeding Females With Scapular Dyskinesia.

To evaluate the combined effects of motor control retraining and scapular stabilization exercises on pain reduction, muscle strength improvement, and functional enhancement in breastfeeding females diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia, and to determine the effectiveness of this combined approach in addressing their musculoskeletal impairments.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Scapular Dyskinesis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: motor control retraining; Other: scapular stabilization exercises

Detailed Description

This will be a randomized controlled trial involving 60 breastfeeding females aged 20-40 years diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the intervention group receiving a combined program of motor control retraining and scapular stabilization exercises, and the control group receiving standard physical therapy care. The intervention will be administered three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures will include the Numeric Pain Rate Scale (NPRS) for pain, Manual Muscle testing for muscle strength, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire for functional assessment. The data will be analyzing by the version of SPSS 25.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 34
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: imran amjad; Phone Number: 03324390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 6400
      • Recruiting
      • Gangaram Hospital
      • Contact: Dr.Hina gul, PhD*; Phone Number: 03214979172; Email: hina.gul@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently breastfeeding (minimum 3 months postpartum)
• Diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia (clinical tests such as the scapular dyskinesis test)
• Complaints of shoulder or upper back pain during or after breastfeeding

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of shoulder surgery or recent trauma to the shoulder or spine
• Neurological disorders affecting upper limb function (cervical radiculopathy).
• Musculoskeletal conditions unrelated to scapular dyskinesia (rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder)
• Participation in any shoulder rehabilitation program in the past 3 months.
• Contraindications to exercise (severe cardiopulmonary conditions or acute infections).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: motor control retraining & scapular stabilization exercises; Motor control retraining is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to restore proper movement patterns by enhancing the coordination, timing, and sequencing of muscle activation. These exercises perform in Supine line, prone line & side lying position.Scapular stabilization exercises can be effectively performed in clinical physiotherapy settings, home environments, or fitness centers, depending on the patient's comfort, supervision needs, and availability of equipment such as resistance bands or light dumbbells.	Other: motor control retraining; the motor control retraining protocol will be performed three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The intensity remains low. Th type of activity consists of targeted motor control exercises focusing on the scapula and shoulder girdle. Over a period of eight weeks, participants will complete about 24 sessions in total; Other: scapular stabilization exercises; Frequency refers to performing the exercises 3 times per week, Intensity involves using low to moderate resistance (resistance bands or light weights), adjusted as the patient's strength improves, Time consists of 2 to 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for each exercise, Type includes specific movements targeting the scapular stabilizers, such as wall slides, scapular retractions, serratus punches, prone Y and T exercises, and dynamic hugs.
Active Comparator: motor control retraining; Motor control retraining is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to restore proper movement patterns by enhancing the coordination, timing, and sequencing of muscle activation	Other: motor control retraining; the motor control retraining protocol will be performed three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The intensity remains low. Th type of activity consists of targeted motor control exercises focusing on the scapula and shoulder girdle. Over a period of eight weeks, participants will complete about 24 sessions in total

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a simple and effective tool used to assess the intensity of pain experienced by an individual. Scoring is typically done on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain, 1-3 represents mild pain, 4-6 indicates moderate pain, and 7 10 denotes severe to the worst possible pain. This scale provides a quick, reliable, and sensitive measure of pain, making it valuable for both clinical assessment and research purposes.	8th week
Manual Muscle Testing	Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a widely used clinical assessment tool to evaluate the strength of individual muscles or muscle groups based on the examiner's application of resistance.Scoring in MMT is typically based on a six-point scale from 0 to 5, where each grade reflects a different level of muscle function	8th week
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire	The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire is a standardized self-report tool used to measure physical function and symptoms in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. It assesses the impact of arm, shoulder, or hand problems on the ability to perform certain daily activities, as well as the severity of symptoms such as pain, weakness, and stiffness. The DASH is widely used in both clinical practice and research due to its high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to changes in upper limb function	8th week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: hina gul, PhD*, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Lafrance S, Ouellet P, Alaoui R, Roy J-S, Lewis J, Christiansen DH, et al. Motor control exercises compared to strengthening exercises for upper-and lower-extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy. 2021;101(7):pzab072.
• da Silva Araújo G, Monteiro ER, da Silva Telles LG, de Almeida RA, Evangelista AL, Leitão L, et al. Acute effect of stretching performed before a resistance exercise session using different intervals on maximum repetitions performance in recreationally trained adults. Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación. 2024(52):304-10.
• Shaik A, Khan S, Shaik A, Shaik KK, Khan MS. Advancements in Postpartum Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024;16(8)
• Peteraitis T, Smedes F. Scapula motor control training with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in chronic subacromial impingement syndrome: A case report. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2020;24(3):165-71.
• Ratajczak M, Górnowicz R. The influence of breastfeeding factors on the prevalence of back and neck pain: data from an online survey. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2024;25(1):675.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 4, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: postpartum; dyskinesia; women; posture; breast feeding
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms; Feeding Behavior; Dyskinesias; Breast Feeding
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0509

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No