Functional electrical stimulation plus shoulder exercises for older adults with rotator cuff 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 enrolls older adults with subacromial shoulder pain to compare a 4-week resistance training program with and without functional electrical stimulation (FES). The study measures neuromuscular control of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and middle deltoid using surface and intramuscular EMG during controlled shoulder contractions, plus ultrasound to assess acromiohumeral distance and tendon occupation. Participants attend three exercise sessions per week for four weeks and undergo testing before, at two weeks, and at four weeks. The goal is to determine if FES enhances muscle coordination and may reduce tendon impingement during movement.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Having pain more than 2 weeks in the anterolateral shoulder region
* A painful arc of movement (60°-120°)
* Having shown positive impingement signs, including positive Neer, Hawkins, and Empty Can tests

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute diagnosed rotator cuff tears
* Osteoarthritis-induced shoulder pain
* Currently receiving treatment or physical therapy for shoulder pain
* Previous shoulder surgery
* Taking medications that affect the central nervous system
* Metabolic or cardiovascular disease
* Metal Implants or pacemakers
* Skin lesions on the shoulder
* Aversion to needles

Where it's running

• The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
  Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ziwei Luo, M.Sc.
• Email: ziweil@utexas.edu
• Phone: 5125905388

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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.