Comparing exercise programs for long head biceps tendinopathy

Effects of Different Exercise Approaches on Tendon Cross-sectional Area and Pain in Biceps Brachii Long Head Tendinopathy

We will try 12 weeks of eccentric or combined exercise programs versus a control exercise to see if they reduce shoulder pain and tendon thickness in people with long head biceps tendinopathy.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Ankara)
• Trial ID: NCT07025668 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares three 12-week exercise approaches — eccentric-only, combined exercises, and a control exercise program — in people with long head biceps tendinopathy. Primary outcomes include tendon cross-sectional area measured by imaging and self-reported shoulder pain on the visual analog scale. Eligible participants have at least three months of shoulder pain and a physician diagnosis of secondary biceps long head tendinopathy, while those with recent shoulder or cervical surgery, limited passive range of motion, recent local corticosteroid injection, acute injury, or inability to follow the program are excluded. All treatment and follow-up visits are conducted at Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Ankara over the 12-week intervention period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with chronic (≥3 months) shoulder pain, a physician diagnosis of secondary biceps long head tendinopathy, pain >3/10 during activity on the VAS, and the ability to follow a 12-week exercise program are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with acute shoulder injury, recent shoulder or cervical surgery, limited passive range of motion, a local corticosteroid injection within the past 12 months, or inability to comply with the exercise program may not receive benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, one of the exercise programs could reduce shoulder pain and normalize tendon appearance without surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Eccentric loading has shown benefit in other tendinopathies such as Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, but high-quality evidence specifically for biceps long head tendinopathy is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Having shoulder pain lasting 3 months or more
* Without a history of surgery, having a diagnosis of shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy, rotator cuff stage 1-2 tear or subacromial impingement, and having been diagnosed with secondary biceps long head tendinopathy by a physician
* Pain level during activity \> 3 according to the visual analog scale
* Patients who have been informed about the study and have given written consent to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute shoulder injury
* History of shoulder and cervical surgery
* Limitation of passive range of motion
* History of local corticosteroid injection within the last 12 months
* Patients who cannot comply with the exercise program will be excluded from the study.

Where this trial is running

Ankara

• Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ebru G SEZİK, Msc — Hacettepe University
• Study coordinator: Ebru G SEZİK, Msc

Conditions: Sports Physical Therapy, Tendinopathy, biceps brachii, tendinopathy, tendon cross-sectional area, shoulder pain