Contextually Enhanced Exercise Program 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 randomized controlled trial compares two exercise programs for adults with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain. One group follows a standard, contextually fixed exercise plan, while the other receives a contextually enriched, personalized version designed to enhance factors such as therapeutic alliance, communication, and meaning. The study measures upper-limb disability with QuickDASH, pain intensity with a numeric scale, autonomic nervous system activity via heart rate variability, and psychosocial and adherence outcomes. Participants are 18 to 75 years old and stratified by age and sex; allocation is concealed. The trial is conducted at Istanbul Nisantasi University with collaboration from Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 75 years
* Clinical diagnosis of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
* Shoulder pain duration longer than 3 months
* Painful arc during shoulder flexion or abduction
* Positive Neer or Hawkins-Kennedy test
* Pain during resisted external rotation or abduction, or positive Jobe test
* Ability to understand and speak Turkish
* Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinical signs of a large rotator cuff tear characterized by marked weakness without pain
* Other shoulder conditions (e.g., frozen shoulder defined as at least 30 percent passive glenohumeral restriction in two or more directions, advanced osteoarthritis, fracture, dislocation, or severe acromioclavicular joint pathology)
* Previous shoulder surgery
* Neurological disorders or significant systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
* Current or past history of malignancy
* Physical or cognitive impairments preventing participation in assessments or intervention sessions
* Reproduction of shoulder symptoms with active cervical spine movements indicating symptomatic cervical pathology
* Corticosteroid injection within the previous 6 weeks
* Participation in other concurrent shoulder treatments during the study

Where it's running

• İstanbul Nisantasi University
  Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Onur Atakan Sekibağ, PhD (c)
• Email: onuratakan.sekibag@nisantasi.edu.tr
• Phone: 90 (212) 210 10 10

Similar studies

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

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• Kettlebell training for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain

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• High-intensity interval training for persistent inflammatory shoulder pain

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• Evaluating hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after shoulder surgery with nerve blocks

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  Recruiting Duke University · Durham, North Carolina · NCT04209504

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.