Original Research Maitland mobilisation improves all ranges of motion in non-traumatic shoulder injury: A randomised controlled trial

Karishma C. Lalwani-Mangtani, Álvaro Ramos-Luzardo, Ricardo Chirino, Pedro Saavedra, Pilar Fernández-Valerón

South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 82, No 1 | a2325 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2325 | © 2026 Karishma. C. Lalwani-Mangtani, Álvaro Ramos-Luzardo, Ricardo Chirino, Pedro Saavedra, Pilar Fernández-Valerón | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 October 2025 | Published: 16 April 2026

About the author(s) Karishma C. Lalwani-Mangtani, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; and Department of Rehabilitation and Biomechanics, ICOT Las Palmas Polyclinic Group, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; and Fernando Pessoa Canarias University, Guía, Spain
Álvaro Ramos-Luzardo, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics and Immunology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Ricardo Chirino, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics and Immunology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Pedro Saavedra, Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Pilar Fernández-Valerón, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics and Immunology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Abstract

Background: Shoulder pathologies are common causes of pain and functional limitation, often requiring physiotherapeutic interventions. Evidence comparing the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise-based approaches in non-traumatic shoulder conditions remains limited.
Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Maitland mobilisation (MAIT) versus kinesiotherapy (KINE) in improving pain, function, quality of life, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with non-traumatic shoulder pathology.
Method: Fifty-nine patients (63 shoulders) were randomly assigned to KINE (KINE; n = 32) or MAIT (MAIT; n = 31) over 15 sessions (three per week for 5 weeks). Both groups also received shortwave diathermy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and exercises. Outcomes included the Disabilities for the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form Health Survey, and ROM assessed with a Qualisys motion capture system. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-week follow-up.
Results: While both groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life after treatment, maintained at 2-week follow-up, MAIT also improved all outcome measures across all ROMs. Percentage changes from baseline were significantly greater in the MAIT group for most variables at both time points. A greater proportion of patients in the MAIT group exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for DASH, ASES, and VAS.
Conclusion: Although both approaches produced positive outcomes, MAIT demonstrated superior effectiveness compared with KINE.
Clinical Implications: Maitland mobilisation may be recommended as a preferred intervention for non-traumatic shoulder pathology in clinical practice, offering broader improvements in function, pain, and mobility without additional treatment burden.

Keywords

Maitland mobilisation; kinesiotherapy; shoulder rehabilitation; manual therapy; non-traumatic shoulder disorders

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics Total abstract views: 116
Total article views: 112

Crossref Citations

No related citations found.