Seven Key Themes in Physical Therapy Advice for Patients Living With Subacromial Shoulder Pain: A Scoping Review
K. Meehan, Craig A. Wassinger, Jean‐Sébastien Roy, Gisela Sole
Abstract
Objective To systematically scope the reported advice and education in physical therapy management of patients with subacromial shoulder pain, and to define key themes of the advice and education. Design Scoping review. Literature Search We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, with publication dates from 2007 to September 2019. Study Selection Criteria We included quantitative and qualitative research that reported on physical therapy interventions for subacromial shoulder pain. Data Synthesis We performed a qualitative synthesis that identified items included in patient advice and education. Results Of 89 original studies included, there were 61 randomized controlled trials; 5 prospective studies; 16 nonrandomized observational intervention studies or case series; and 7 surveys, audits of physical therapy patient records, and focus groups with physical therapists. We identified 7 key themes for advice and education: exercise intensity and pain response, activity modification advice, posture advice, pain self-management advice, pathoanatomical and diagnosis information, behavioral approaches, and pain biology advice. Conclusion While advice focused predominantly on the local tissue pathology model, 10% of studies included information about pain neuroscience education, psychosocial factors, motor imagery, or behavior change. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(6):285–293. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9152