EFFECT OF VISUAL AND AUDITORY FEEDBACK EXERCISES ON SHOULDER FUNCTION IN ROTATOR CUFF TENDONITIS PATIENTS

Background. There is a lot of information in literature about rotator cuff strengthening, stretching, and postural correction exercises, which are recommended as a complex for tendonitis rehabilitation (Dong et al., 2015). There is lack of information about visual and auditory feedback exercises for shoulder functions in rotator cuff tendonitis. Methods. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of visual (VF) and auditory (AF) feedback exercises for shoulder functions in rotator cuff tendonitis patients. Thirty patients of Šiauliai rehabilitation centre were included in this study. Diagnostic tests, shoulder proprioception, posture, muscle strength (Lovett), functional muscle strength (Kendall), quality of life evaluations were performed before and after the study to evaluate the effect of VF and AF exercises. Results. VF exercise group had a greater increase (p < .05) in shoulder flexion abduction, internal and external rotation range of motion, proprioception, muscle strength results, also increased physical functioning, and decreased rolephysical and bodily pain in the quality of life evaluation. AF exercise group demonstrated a greater increase (p < .05) in shoulder flexion abduction range of motion and muscle strength, bodily pain decreased in the quality of life evaluation. Conclusions. After comparing the results we concluded that shoulder extension, abduction, internal and external rotation range of motion and proprioception, muscle strength and the quality of life increased (p < .05) more in VF exercise group than in AF group. All in all, visual feedback exercises had greater effect onr shoulder functions and the quality of life compared to auditory feedback group. We would recommend including this type of exercises in rotator cuff tendonitis rehabilitation program.