Table 1 Characteristics of studies about the efficacy of scapular stabilization exercise

Struyf et al. (2013) [20]

22 patients with shoulder impingement syndrome

Manual mobilization of scapula; stretching exercises for levator scapulae, rhomboid and pectoralis minor; scapular motor control training (including training of the trapezius and SA muscles).

Shoulder disability questionnaire, verbal numerical rating scale, visual analogue scale, visual observation for tilting & winging, forward head posture, pectoralis minor muscle length, scapular upward rotation.

Scapular stabilization exercise is effective in reducing pain and disability for patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Baskurt et al. (2011) [19]

40 shoulder impingement patients

Scapular PNF exercise, scapular clock exercise, standing weight shift, double arm balancing, scapular depression, wall push-up, wall slide exercise.

Visual analogue scale, shoulder range of motion, trapezius and serratus anterior muscle strength, joint position test, Western Ontario Rotator cuff index.

Scapular stabilization exercises are superior to conventional program.

Turgut et al. (2017) [21]

30 subacromial impingement syndrome patients

Wall slides with squat, wall push-ups plus ipsilateral leg extension, lawnmower with diagonal squat, resisted scapular retraction with contralateral 1-leg squat, and robbery with squat.

Three-dimensional kinematics, the Turkish version of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

Scapular stabilization exercise therapy is an effective tool for controlling pain and improving disability status.

Hotta et al. (2018) [22]

50 patients with shoulder impingement

The neuromuscular exercises were towel slide, PNF scapular, inferior glide, and scapular clock. The strengthening exercises were diagonal D1, push-up plus, full can, prone horizontal abduction with external rotation from 90° to 135°, side-lying external rotation with abduction at 0°, diagonal D2 eccentric, scapular punch, and horizontal rowing.

Resting position and scapular kinematics, muscular strength, numeric pain rating scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

Motor control and muscular strengthening training improve function among subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome.