Author(s):
Srushti Patil, Risha Kamble
Email(s):
srushtipatil1004@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2349-2988.2026.00001 
Address:
Srushti Patil1, Risha Kamble2
1Intern Student, Maharashtra Institute of Physiotherapy, Latur - 413531, Maharashtra, India.
2Associate Professor, Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Maharashtra Institute of Physiotherapy, Latur - 413531, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 18,
Issue - 1,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Rounded shoulder posture (RSP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal deviation among medical students, commonly associated with prolonged study hours, mobile device use, and poor postural habits. It is characterized by adaptive shortening of the pectoralis minor and other anterior shoulder muscles, accompanied by lengthening of posterior stabilizers. This randomized experimental study investigated the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching in correcting RSP. Thirty medical students aged 18–25 years were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received PNF stretching of the pectoralis minor combined with postural correction exercises, while Group B performed postural correction exercises alone. Outcome measures included the Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) and Pectoralis Minor Length Test (PMLT), assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis using paired and unpaired t-tests (p < 0.05) revealed significantly greater improvements in LSST and PMLT values in the experimental group compared to controls. These findings suggest that PNF stretching of the pectoralis minor, when integrated with postural correction exercises, is more effective than postural correction exercises alone in improving rounded shoulder posture among medical students.
Cite this article:
Srushti Patil, Risha Kamble. Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching of Pectoralis Minor on rounded shoulder in Medical students. Research Journal of Science and Technology. 2026; 18(1):1-7. doi: 10.52711/2349-2988.2026.00001
Cite(Electronic):
Srushti Patil, Risha Kamble. Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching of Pectoralis Minor on rounded shoulder in Medical students. Research Journal of Science and Technology. 2026; 18(1):1-7. doi: 10.52711/2349-2988.2026.00001 Available on: https://www.rjstonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-18-1-1
REFERENCES:
1. Kim MK, Lee JC, Yoo KT. The effects of shoulder stabilization exercises and pectoralis minor stretching on balance and maximal shoulder muscle strength of healthy young adults with round shoulder posture. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2018; 30(3): 373-80.
2. Yoo WG. Comparison of the effects of pectoralis muscles stretching exercise and scapular retraction strengthening exercise on forward shoulder. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2018; 30(4): 584-5.
3. Singla D, Veqar Z. Association between forward head, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis: a review of the literature. J Chiropr Med. 2017; 16 (3): 220–9.
4. Hajibashi A, Amiri A, Sarrafzadeh J, Maroufi N, Jalaei S. Effect of kinesiotaping and stretching exercise on forward shoulder angle in females with rounded shoulder posture.
5. Rosa DP, Borstad JD, Pogetti LS, Camargo PR. Effects of a stretching protocol for the pectoralis minor on muscle length, function, and scapular kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2017 Jan 1; 30(1): 20-9.
6. Hasan S, Iqbal A, Alghadir AH, Alonazi A, Alyahya D. The combined effect of the trapezius muscle strengthening and pectoralis minor muscle stretching on correcting the rounded shoulder posture and shoulder flexion range of motion among young Saudi females: A randomized comparative study. InHealthcare 2023 Feb 8; 11(4): 500.
7. Shiravi S, Letafatkar A, Bertozzi L, Pillastrini P, Khaleghi Tazji M. Efficacy of abdominal control feedback and scapula stabilization exercises in participants with forward head, round shoulder postures and neck movement impairment. Sports health. 2019 May; 11(3): 272-9.
8. Naz A, Bashir MS, Noor R. Prevalance of forward head posture among university students. Rawal Med J. 2018 Apr 1; 43(2): 260.
9. Saini S. Effect of passive pectoralis minor stretching on scapular kinematics in scapular dyskinesia.
10. Williams JG, Laudner KG, McLoda T. The acute effects of two passive stretch maneuvers on pectoralis minor length and scapular kinematics among collegiate swimmers. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2013 Feb; 8(1): 25.
11. Swain L, Kalra S, Rai R, Raghav D. Effect of scapular strengthening exercises on rounded shoulder and neck disability among college students of Delhi NCR. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 2023 Sep 20; 19(3): 235-41.
12. Jyothi NS, Selvam PS, Ahmedullah M, Yatheendra KG, Subramanian SS, Paul J. Effectiveness of PNF stretch of pectoralis major muscle on pulmonary function in COPD patients. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2022(I): 13332-41.
13. Ciğercioglu NB, Unuvar E, Hazimlioglu P, Tan F, Kılınç HE, Deniz HG. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training improves scapular muscle strength and pectoralis minor length in individuals with scapular dyskinesis. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences. 2022 Jan 1; 6(1): 238-46.
14. Kisner C, Colby LA, Borstad J. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques. 7th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis; 2019.
15. Ramneesh, Vohra and Kalra, Sheetal and Joginder, Yadav. A Comparative Study of Static Stretch and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretch on Pectoral Muscle Flexibility. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal. 2014; 8: 37. 10.5958/0973-5674.2014.00008.2.
16. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2018.
17. Curtis T, Roush JR. The lateral scapular slide test: A reliability study of males with and without shoulder pathology. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy: NAJSPT. 2006 Aug; 1(3): 140.
18. Park SY. Interrater reliability and intrarater reliability of lateral scapular slide tests of females in their 20s. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2017; 29(4): 726-8.
19. Lewis JS, Valentine RE. The pectoralis minor length test: a study of the intra-rater reliability and diagnostic accuracy in subjects with and without shoulder symptoms. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2007 Dec; 8: 1-0.