Abstract
Objective. To study if different cervical mobilizations have a long-term effect on pain relief and strengthening of external rotators and abductors in rotator cuff tendinitis. Method. Seventy-five patients with rotator cuff tendinitis were recruited from outpatient clinic, with age ranged from 25 to 40 years. Group A: C5-6 antero-posterior cervical mobilization and ultrasound therapy. Group B: C5-6 lateral glide cervical mobilization and Ultrasound. Group C: C5-6 Postero-anterior cervical mobilization and US. The Visual Analogue Scale measured pain severity level and Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester measured shoulder external rotators and abductors isometric muscle strength. Results. The Wilcoxon test revealed a statistically significant difference in shoulder external rotators, abductors strength, and pain reduction between pre, immediate post-mobilization, 10 minutes post-mobilization, and 30 minutes post-mobilization within the three groups. But, the immediate post-mobilization and 10 minute post-mobilization median values of external rotators were statistically significant differences among the three groups, while the 30 minute post-mobilization median values of external rotators were not. For Abductors: Among the three groups, there were no statistically significant differences in abductors’ immediate post-mobilization, 10 minute post-mobilization, or 30 minute post-mobilization, but there were statistically significant differences in pain scores immediate post-mobilization, 10 minute post-mobilization, and 30 minute post-mobilization. Conclusion. The study found that all three kinds of cervical mobilization are useful in reducing pain and strengthening the external rotators and abductors muscles and that the most effective method is antero-posterior in treating rotator cuff tendinitis.

Key words:
lateral glide, antero-posterior mobilization, postero-anterior glide, muscle strength, rotator cuff tendinitis