Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Comparing manual therapy and shock wave treatment for shoulder pain

Official title: Comparison of Manual Therapy Versus Low-medium Energy Radial Shock Waves in the Treatment of Subacromial Syndrome in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Run by University of Alcala · NCT06587399 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether manual therapy or shock wave treatment is better at relieving shoulder pain for people with subacromial syndrome.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment88 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Alcala
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 30, 2024
Main results expectedSeptember 15, 2026
Study endsSeptember 15, 2026
Registry record updatedJune 3, 2025
Trial IDNCT06587399 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are individuals experiencing unilateral shoulder pain for at least three months, with a pain level of 4/10 or higher on the Visual Analogue Scale.

Probably not a fit

Patients with specific shoulder conditions such as instability, frozen shoulder, or complete rotator cuff tears may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy and radial shock wave therapy in treating shoulder pain caused by subacromial syndrome. A total of 88 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either manual therapy, which includes ischemic pressure, joint mobilizations, and myofascial techniques, or low-med energy radial shock wave therapy, both over a period of 6 weeks. The study will evaluate which treatment method provides better relief from pain and improves shoulder function. Participants will also engage in a 12-week home-based therapy program following their treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide patients with a more effective treatment option for shoulder pain, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: While manual therapy is a well-established treatment for shoulder pain, the use of shock wave therapy in this context is less common, making this approach somewhat novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Unilateral shoulder pain with no history of trauma.
* Pain of at least 4/10 on the Visual Analogue Scale for a minimum period of 3 months.
* Be positive in at least 3 of the following 5 tests: painful arc test, Neer impingement test, Hawkins-Kennedy test, Jobe test, external rotation test against resistance for the infraspinatus tendon.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of red flags.
* Diagnosis of shoulder instability.
* Diagnosis of frozen shoulder.
* Diagnosis of complete rupture of the common rotator cuff tendon.
* Diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.
* Diagnosis of whiplash.
* Diagnosis of degenerative disease of the glenohumeral joint.

Where it's running

  • Alcalá University
    Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.