The Effects of Therapeutic Climbing on Pain, Function, and Muscle Thickness of the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus in Sport Climbers with Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigated the effects of therapeutic climbing on pain, function, and rotator cuff muscle thickness in sport climbers with shoulder pain using a prospective, single-blind randomized controlled trial design. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to three groups: therapeutic climbing combined with sport climbing (EG1), shoulder stabilization exercise combined with sport climbing (EG2), and sport climbing alone (CG). Interventions were performed three times per week for six weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Pain and disability were measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and muscle thickness of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus was assessed using ultrasound imaging. Both EG1 and EG2 demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain and function compared to the control group (p < 0.05), with EG1 showing more consistent and progressive improvement over time. Changes in muscle thickness varied by muscle and intervention: supraspinatus thickness decreased over time in EG1, whereas it increased in EG2 and CG; in contrast, infraspinatus thickness remained stable in EG1 and EG2 but decreased in CG. These findings suggest that therapeutic climbing may promote more favorable neuromuscular adaptations, contributing to improved shoulder function. Therefore, therapeutic climbing may serve as an effective, sport-specific rehabilitation strategy for reducing pain and facilitating functional recovery in climbers with shoulder pain.