High-intensity interval training for persistent inflammatory shoulder pain
Revolutionizing Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain Management: High-intensity Interval Training as a Systemic Intervention. A Feasibility Study.
NA · Universiteit Antwerpen · NCT07275164
This study will try short sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in adults with long-term shoulder pain thought to be driven by low-grade inflammation to see if the exercise is acceptable and whether inflammation and pain-related measures change.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universiteit Antwerpen (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Wilrijk) |
| Trial ID | NCT07275164 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a feasibility study enrolling 15 people with persistent rotator cuff-related shoulder pain or frozen shoulder and 15 asymptomatic controls to test a HIIT protocol. Participants will undergo measurements of inflammatory markers (including C-reactive protein), HbA1c, blood pressure, body composition, and pain sensitivity tests before and after the intervention period. The primary focus is practical feasibility outcomes such as recruitment rate, adherence, acceptability, satisfaction, motivation, safety, and logistical issues. A secondary aim is to compare inflammatory and metabolic measures between the shoulder pain group and controls.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who speak and read Dutch with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain or frozen shoulder lasting more than three months, without recent shoulder surgery or major neurological, cancer, or musculoskeletal comorbidities, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with recent shoulder surgery or trauma, structural joint disease (including osteoarthritis or cervical/AC joint pathology), significant neurological or systemic illness, pregnancy, or those unable to perform high-intensity exercise are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, HIIT could offer a short, systemic exercise option that lowers low-grade inflammation, improves metabolic markers, and helps reduce persistent shoulder pain.
How similar studies have performed: HIIT has been shown in other populations to improve inflammatory markers, metabolic health and pain modulation, but it has not been well studied specifically for inflammatory-driven shoulder pain.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Shoulder pain group * Shoulder pain \> 3 months * Diagnosis of rotator cuff related shoulder pain or frozen shoulder * Understanding Dutch in speaking and writing. Control group o Understanding Dutch in speaking and writing Exclusion Criteria: Shoulder pain group * \<18 years * Shoulder surgery or trauma in past year * Neurological, cancer, or neuromuscular disease * Osteoarthritis, cervical or AC joint pathology * Heavy physical exertion \<48h before testing Control group * \<18 years * recent or recurrent neck/shoulder pain * systemic or neurological disease * psychiatric disorders * pregnancy/breastfeeding * pain medication \<48h before test
Where this trial is running
Wilrijk
- Universiteit Antwerpen — Wilrijk, Belgium (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michel Mertens, PhD — Universiteit Antwerpen
- Study coordinator: Michel Mertens, PhD
- Email: michel.mertens@uantwerpen.be
- Phone: +32 3 265 89 76
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.
Conditions: Chronic Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis, Shoulder Pain, low-grade inflammation, chronic shoulder pain, autonomic dysfunction