Abstract
Within this critically appraised topic, the aim of this paper was to see the effectiveness of providing individualized home exercise programs for adults with shoulder impingement to decrease shoulder chronic pain. Subacromial impingement is a common musculoskeletal diagnosis involving pain and inflammation within the shoulder. This is often due to the acromion rubbing on tendons and the bursa within the shoulder, especially during overhead activities where the space within the shoulder underneath the acromion process narrows. With that being said, home exercise programs can act as a conservative, more cost-effective approach to treating individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. Results of this critically appraised topic were mixed with some studies finding home exercise programs led to a decrease in pain, increase in shoulder function, and increase in quality of life and others indicating no significant differences. More research is therefore warranted in order to explore the relationship between shoulder impingement and home exercise programs leading to decreased pain and an overall increase in occupational performance.