Table 3 Summary of findings for the comparison eccentric exercise versus control exercise for subacromial impingement syndrome

Mean post-treatment pain ranged across control groups from 15.0 to 63.9 mm

Mean post-treatment pain in the experimental group was 12.3 mm lower (17.8 lower to 6.8 lower)

Low^{a, b}

Eccentric exercise may provide a small but likely not important reduction in pain post-treatment compared with other types of exercise.

Mean intermediate/long-term pain ranged across control groups from 18.0 to 52.1 mm

Mean intermediate/long-term pain in the experimental group was 4.9 mm lower (15.4 lower to 5.6 higher)

Low^{a, b}

Eccentric exercise may result in little or no important difference in pain compared with other types of exercise.

N/A

Standardised mean post-treatment function in the experimental group was 0.10 SMD units better (0.79 better to 0.58 worse)

Very low^{a, b, c}

It is uncertain whether eccentric exercise improves function more than other types of exercise post-treatment follow-up.

N/A

Standardised mean intermediate/long-term function in the experimental group was 0.28 SMD units worse (0.67 better to 1.24 worse)

Very low^{a, b, c}

It is uncertain whether eccentric exercise improves function more than other types of exercise at intermediate/long-term follow-up.