Adding shock wave therapy to exercises for rotator cuff tendinopathy

Effect of Adding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy to Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This will test whether adding extracorporeal shock wave therapy to a 6-week rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercise program helps people aged 30–55 with rotator cuff tendinopathy have less pain and better shoulder function.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 30 Years to 55 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Deraya University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Minya, Menia Governorate)
• Trial ID: NCT07390396 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 50 participants with confirmed rotator cuff tendinopathy and randomize them to either exercise therapy alone or exercise plus weekly extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for 6 weeks. Both groups perform rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercises three times per week while the ESWT group receives one shock wave session weekly. Outcomes include changes in supraspinatus tendon thickness by ultrasound, pain levels, and shoulder function measured before and after the intervention. The trial excludes patients with massive tears, adhesive capsulitis, recent steroid injections, systemic inflammatory disease, pregnancy, or BMI over 30 kg/m².

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are medically stable adults aged 30–55 with clinical and imaging-confirmed rotator cuff tendinopathy, symptoms longer than 3 months, and supraspinatus tendon thickness >5.85 mm who can attend thrice-weekly exercise sessions.

Not a fit: Patients with full-thickness or massive rotator cuff tears, adhesive capsulitis, recent corticosteroid injection, uncontrolled systemic disease (like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis), pregnancy, or BMI over 30 kg/m² are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, adding ESWT could shorten recovery, reduce pain, and improve shoulder function beyond exercise alone.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of ESWT for tendinopathies, including rotator cuff conditions, have shown mixed but sometimes positive effects on pain and tendon healing, so this combined approach builds on promising but not definitive evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Medically stable individuals who consent to participate in the study.
* Male and female participants aged between 30 and 55 years.
* Diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy, confirmed clinically and by ultrasound or MRI.
* Duration of symptoms greater than 3 months.
* Supraspinatus tendon thickness \> 5.85 mm as measured by ultrasound (based on Hunter et al., 2021).
* Able to follow the treatment plan and attend all therapy sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Massive rotator cuff tear or complete tendon rupture.
* Adhesive capsulitis or significant limitation of passive shoulder motion.
* History of shoulder fracture, dislocation, or surgery in the affected limb.
* Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or systemic inflammatory disease.
* Cervical radiculopathy or neurological involvement affecting the shoulder.
* Corticosteroid injection in the affected shoulder within the last 6 months.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* BMI \> 30 kg/m² (obese individuals excluded).
* Current malignancy, open wounds, or local infection at the treatment site.
* Inability to tolerate shock wave therapy or perform exercise sessions.

Where this trial is running

Minya, Menia Governorate

• faculty of physical therapy, Deraya University — Minya, Menia Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Aliaa Hussein

Conditions Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy; Shoulder Pain; Supraspinatus Tendinopathy; Shoulder Dysfunction