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

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; 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.