• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.10-16
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• 2010

This study was undertaken to develop the scapulometer, a measuring tool for scapular winging, and to determine the reliability of scapulometer. Thirty subjects with scapular winging greater than 2 cm participated in this study. Two examiners measured scapular winging using the scapulometer. Standardized measurement position of each subject was as follows: neutral position of shoulder and wrist, $90^{\circ}$ flexion of elbow, and cuff weight of 5% and 10% of body weight (BW) to neutral wrist. The interrater and intrarater reliability were calculated with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and standard error of measurement (SEM) at 5% BW and 10% BW. The level of scapular winging was tested between 5% BW and 10% BW with a paired t-test. The interrater reliability was shown to be high at 5% BW (ICC(2,k)=.955, 95% CI=.900~.979, SEM=.07) and at 10% BW (ICC(2,k)=.968, 95% CI=.930~.985, SEM=.06). The intrarater reliability was shown to be high at 5% BW (ICC(2,k)=.921, 95% CI=.842~.961, SEM=.09) and at 10% BW (ICC(2,k)=.906, 95% CI=.813~.954, SEM=.10). The level of scapular winging was significantly different between 5% BW and 10% BW. Conclusively, it is demonstrated that the scapulometer is an objective and qualitative measurement tool for scapular winging.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.399-408
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the differences in winged scapula between the symptomatic side and asymptomatic side, the reliability of the winged scapula test, and the correlation between winged scapula and the stability of the scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four patients with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome participated in this study. Winged scapula was compared between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides using a scapulometer. The reliability of the scapulometer was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The correlation between winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were also obtained. Conclusion: Winged scapula was significantly greater on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side (p < 0.05). High to excellent ICCs were obtained for the winged scapula test, and SEM and MCID values were obtained for winged scapula (SEM: 0.2-0.3 cm, MCID: 0.6-0.8 cm); however, winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were not correlated. Conclusion: The scapulometer is useful for measuring winged scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2017

Background: Scapular winging is a prominence of the entire scapular medial border, mainly caused by insufficient activity of the serratus anterior (SA) and imbalance of scapulothoracic muscles. Push-up plus (PUP) exercise has been commonly used to increase SA muscle activity. The facilitation of abdominal muscle may affect scapular muscle activity by myofascial connections. Thus, the sequential activation of the turnk muscles is suggested to facilitate the transition of proper force from upper limb and restore force couple of scapular muscles. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) has been effective in improving activation of the deep trunk muscles during movement. Objects: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ADIM on the activity of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and SA during PUP exercises in subjects with scapular winging. Methods: Fourteen men with scapular winging (determined as a of distance between the scapular medial border and thoracic wall over 3 cm) volunteered for our study. The subjects performed the PUP exercise with and without ADIM. Surface electromyography was used to collect the electromyography data of the UT, LT, and SA. A scapulometer was used to measure the amount of scapular winging. Results: SA activity was significantly greater and scapular winging significantly lower during the PUP exercise with ADIM than during those without ADIM. Conclusion: PUP exercise with ADIM can be used as an beneficial method to improve SA activation and to reduce the amount of scapular winging in subjects with scapular winging.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2023

Background: Scapular dyskinesis may cause not only rotator cuff (RC) tear but also weakness of the upper extremity, studies on scapular dyskinesis that may occur after RC repair is still lacking. Objects: To determine whether scapular dsykinesis was present in patients after arthroscopic RC repair and to investigate the influence of passive scapular stabilization on upper extremity strength. Methods: A total of 30 patients after RC repair participated in this study. To compare the scapula of the arthroscopic RC repair shoulder and the contralateral shoulder, the winged scapula (WS) was measured using a scapulometer and scapular dyskinesis was also classified by type. Fixed instruments for muscle strength measurements were used to measure upper extremity muscle strength differences depending on passive scapular stabilization position or natural scapular position. A chi-square test, an independent t-test and a 2-way mixed measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as statistical analysis. In analyses, p < 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Results: Postoperative shoulder had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and the WS compared to the contralateral shoulder (F = 0.052, p < 0.01). Postoperative shoulder, muscle strength in the shoulder abduction (p < 0.01), elbow flexion (p < 0.01) and forearm supination (p < 0.05) were significantly greater in the scapular stabilization position than in the scapular natural position. Conclusion: Patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and muscle strength was improved by a passive scapular stabilization position, therefore scapular stabilization is important in rehabilitation program.