Changes in Shoulder Strength, Mobility, and Muscle Recruitment Following Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation in CrossFit Athletes with Nonspecific Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Abstract
Study design: Randomized controlled trial with two experimental groups and blinded evaluators. Participants: 42 CrossFit athletes with nonspecific shoulder pain.
Interventions: Both groups received a single session of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) targeting the axillary and suprascapular nerves. One group received stimulation at 1 Hz, and the other at 10 Hz.
Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of two different frequencies (1 Hz vs. 10 Hz) of US-guided PNM on shoulder function in CrossFit athletes with nonspecific shoulder pain.
Materials and Methods: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included variables related to glenohumeral rotational mobility and strength, as well as scapular motor control, measured using goniometry, dynamometry, and surface electromyography, respectively.
Results: US-guided PNM at 10 Hz resulted in significant improvements in glenohumeral rotational mobility and strength, and scapular motor control. At 1 Hz, improvements in mobility and strength were observed, though to a lesser extent and without significant effects on motor control.
Conclusions: These findings support the effectiveness of US-guided PNM as a simple, clinically effective intervention to improve neuromuscular function in CrossFit athletes with nonspecific shoulder pain. However, results also underscore the importance of individualizing electrical stimulation parameters to optimize outcomes.
Keywords
- Percutaneous Neuromodulation
- Invasive Physiotherapy
- Axillary Nerve
- Suprascapular Nerve
- CrossFit
- Nonspecific Shoulder Pain
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