Blood flow restriction exercise for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
Differences in Exercise-induced Hypoalgesia After a Session With Different Blood Flow Restriction Protocols in People With Rotator Cuff-related Shoulder Pain
This will see if low-load exercises with blood flow restriction can reduce pain and make exercise easier for adults with long-standing rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Valencia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Valencia, Valencia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07232511 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with at least three months of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, pain provoked by abduction, and two or more positive clinical shoulder tests who can perform low-load shoulder exercises are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with complete rotator cuff tears, suspected frozen shoulder, recent shoulder surgery or trauma, severe pain that prevents exercise, or shoulder pain primarily from the neck are unlikely to benefit from these BFR exercise protocols.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-load way to reduce shoulder pain quickly and improve ability to tolerate therapeutic exercise.
How similar studies have performed: Previous BFR research in other musculoskeletal conditions has shown short-term pain reduction and improved exercise tolerance, but direct evidence specifically for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Valencia, Valencia
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.