Blood flow restriction exercise for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This crossover interventional protocol has each participant complete four low-load resistance exercise sessions using different blood flow restriction (BFR) settings: 30% one-repetition maximum (RM) with 30%, 50%, or 70% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and a sham cuff without pressure. Researchers will measure immediate pain change (exercise-induced hypoalgesia), perceived exercise tolerance, and any adverse effects after each modality. The primary comparisons are acute pain reduction across occlusion levels and between active BFR and sham. Standardized 30% RM loads and within-subject repeated measures are used to limit variability and allow direct comparison of protocols.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 65
* Shoulder symptoms lasting at least 3 months
* Pain in the proximal anterolateral aspect of the shoulder, aggravated by abduction
* At least two of the following tests positive: Jobe test, resisted external rotation test, Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer test, painful arc between 60 and 120 degrees of shoulder abduction

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of shoulder trauma or surgery
* Pain of such intensity that it is impossible to perform the proposed exercises
* Active arm elevation less than 90 degrees
* Clinical signs of a complete tear (positive delayed external and internal rotation sign and positive arm drop test)
* Suspected frozen shoulder (50% reduction or more than 30° loss in passive shoulder external rotation)
* Primary diagnosis of shoulder instability or acromioclavicular pathology
* Shoulder pain due to primary involvement in the cervical or thoracic region
* Corticosteroid injections in the last 6 weeks
* Presence of diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, neurological diseases, fibromyalgia, malignant tumors, or polymyalgia rheumatica
* Presence of more than one risk factor for thromboembolism
* Participation in upper limb exercise programs in the last month

Where it's running

• Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia
  Valencia, Valencia, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Adrian Escriche-Escuder, PhD — University of Valencia
• Study coordinator: Adrian Escriche-Escuder, PhD
• Email: adrian.escriche@uv.es
• Phone: +34 963 98 38 55

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.