Effects of Diaphragmatic Mobilization and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Pain and Quality of Life in Individuals with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic mobilization and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on pain and quality of life in individuals with shoulder pain. Methods: A total of 72 individuals with shoulder pain were included in the study. The individuals included in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups as Diaphragmatic Mobilization Group (DMG) (n=24), Diaphragmatic Breathing Group (DBG) (n=24), and control group (n=24). In addition to classical physiotherapy treatment, diaphragmatic mobilization to mobilization group and diaphragmatic breathing exercises to breathing group were applied by the physiotherapist 3 days a week for 8 weeks. On the other hand, only classical physiotherapy treatments were applied to the control group. Individuals were evaluated in terms of pain and quality of life. Pain levels assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and quality of life assessed with Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: In our study, it was observed that the pain level was reduced and the quality of life was improved in all groups (p<0.05). When DMG and DBG were compared with the control group, there was found a significant difference among groups in terms of reducing pain and improving quality of life in favor of DMG and DBG (p<0.05). When DMG and DBG were compared, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that diaphragmatic mobilization and diaphragmatic breathing exercises are found to be effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in individuals with shoulder pain.