Exercising your good arm to protect muscle during elbow immobilization after shoulder surgery
Eccentric or Concentric Contralateral Training in Rehabilitation After Shoulder Surgery With Elbow Immobilization
This research will test whether exercising the non-operated arm with either eccentric or concentric movements helps preserve muscle strength and size in adults who must have their elbow immobilized after shoulder surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon La Seyne sur Mer Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toulon, Var) |
| Trial ID | NCT06905093 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized interventional study enrolls adults scheduled for shoulder surgery who will require 4–6 weeks of elbow immobilization and collects baseline strength, muscle size, and functional measures before surgery. After surgery, participants are randomized to standard care, eccentric contralateral training, or concentric contralateral training performed three times per week on the non‑immobilized arm during the immobilization period. Outcomes are measured at the end of immobilization, and at 6 and 17 weeks post‑immobilization, with primary endpoints including elbow flexor/extensor strength and muscle cross‑sectional area and secondary endpoints including arm circumference, grip strength, and patient‑reported function.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older undergoing shoulder surgery who require 4–6 weeks of elbow immobilization, have no neurological disease, and can safely exercise the non‑operated arm are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological disorders, recent or prior upper‑limb injuries or surgeries, medical contraindications to exercise, pregnancy, or inability to attend required visits are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, contralateral training could reduce muscle wasting during immobilization and speed recovery of strength and function after shoulder surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller trials and experimental studies of cross‑education—especially with eccentric loading—have shown promise in preserving strength during limb immobilization, though large randomized trials are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patient (≥ 18 years old) undergoing shoulder surgery (i.e., Bankart procedure, rotator cuff repair, arthroplasty) * With an indication for immobilization, expected to last 4 to 6 weeks * Free from any neurological pathology * Having provided their informed consent before any participation in the research Exclusion Criteria: * Having a medical contraindication to the practice of physical and sports activities * Presenting an expected modification of their physical activity of the non-immobilized limb * Having suffered an injury to the upper limbs in the last 6 months * Having already undergone surgery on the upper limbs * Pregnant, parturient, and breastfeeding women * Presenting a medically established alteration of their cognitive functions * Subject under guardianship, curatorship, family empowerment, or judicial safeguard * Not affiliated or beneficiary of health insurance coverage * Any other reason that, in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives
Where this trial is running
Toulon, Var
- Hôpital National d'Instruction des Armées Sainte-Anne — Toulon, Var, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Magali Cesana
- Email: magali.cesana@ch-toulon.fr
- Phone: 04 83 77 20 60
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.