The effects of wall slide and sling slide exercises on scapular alignment and pain in subjects with scapular downward rotation

[Purpose] The present study was performed to evaluate the changes in the scapular alignment, pressure pain threshold and pain in subjects with scapular downward rotation after 4 weeks of wall slide exercise or sling slide exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two subjects with scapular downward rotation participated in this study. The alignment of the scapula was measured using radiographic analysis (X-ray). Pain and pressure pain threshold were assessed using visual analogue scale and digital algometer. Patients were assessed before and after a 4 weeks of exercise. [Results] In the within-group comparison, the wall slide exercise group showed significant differences in the resting scapular alignment, pressure pain threshold, and pain after four weeks. The between-group comparison showed that there were significant differences between the wall slide group and the sling slide group after four weeks. [Conclusion] The results of this study found that the wall slide exercise may be effective at reducing pain and improving scapular alignment in subjects with scapular downward rotation.