The effect of Mulligan and Maitland techniques on pain, functionality, proprioception, and quality of life in individuals with rotator cuff lesions.

Background: Rotator cuff disease treatment typically involves manual therapy and exercise as part of physical therapy.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of Mulligan and Maitland mobilization methods on pain, functionality, quality of life, and proprioception in individuals with rotator cuff lesions. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Methods: The study included 45 individuals with rotator cuff lesions. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: conventional exercise, Maitland mobilization, and Mulligan mobilization. All participants were assessed pretreatment and post treatment using the Visual Analog Scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, Rotator Cuff Quality of Life, range of motion (ROM), and proprioception.

Results: All parameters, except proprioception, improved significantly in all three groups post treatment (p < 0.05). Mulligan group (MG) and Maitland mobilization group (MMG) had higher improvements to the conventional exercise group (CG) in terms of flexion ROM (p = 0.05, effect size = 0.22), abduction ROM (p = 0.02, effect size = 0.26), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.56). Also, the MG group had greater improvements to the MMG and CG groups in terms of Rotator Cuff Quality of Life/symptoms (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.43), job (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.61), lifestyle (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.42), emotional parameters (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.29). MG was more effective than the MMG in Visual Analog Scale activity (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.32), external rotation (p = 0.012, effect size = 0.19), and abduction ROM (p = 0.002, effect size = 0.26). However, no improvement in proprioception was observed across all groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: This study concluded that, in addition to conventional treatment, both Mulligan and Maitland mobilization therapy effectively improve range of motion, functionality, and quality of life.