Hybrid mobile health and telerehabilitation vs in-person physiotherapy for 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

Participants with Subacromial Pain Syndrome will be assigned to one of three rehabilitation methods for six weeks: a mobile-health program via Physitrack, therapist-supervised online telerehabilitation, or traditional in-person physiotherapy. Outcomes include pain, shoulder pain and disability, and range of motion measured at baseline, week 3, and week 6, plus exercise adherence and patient satisfaction. The study uses a quasi-experimental design with 51 adults aged 18–45, 17 per group. Data will inform how delivery mode influences clinical results and patient experience.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18-45 years.

* Clinical diagnosis of Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS).
* Lateral shoulder pain aggravated by overhead activities.
* At least 2 positive tests from the Neer test, Hawkins-Kennedy test, and Painful Arc test.
* Pain intensity recorded as greater than 3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
* Subacute or chronic symptoms (duration \> 4 weeks).
* SPADI score between 20% and 70%, indicating mild to moderate functional limitation suitable for conservative rehabilitation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of shoulder surgery or fracture within the past 6 months.

  * Full-thickness rotator cuff tear (confirmed clinically/imaging if available).
  * Cervical radiculopathy or referred pain from the cervical spine.
  * Neurological disorders affecting upper-limb function.
  * Recent corticosteroid injection in the shoulder (\< 3 months).
  * Severe comorbidities preventing participation in exercise rehabilitation.

Where it's running

• Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  Rawalpindi, Federal, Pakistan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zainab Waqar, MS - PT — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: Zainab Waqar, MS- PT (OMPT)
• Email: zainab.waqar@riphah.edu.pk
• Phone: +923345106743

Similar studies

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

• Functional electrical stimulation plus shoulder exercises for older adults with rotator cuff pain

  In older adults with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain, this study tests whether adding functional electrical stimulation to a shoulder exercise program improves muscle coordination and reduces impingement compared with exercises alone.

  Recruiting University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT07886827

• Nociplastic Pain in SAPS: A Look at Pain Types in Shoulder Pain

  This study tests how common nociplastic pain is among people with subacromial pain syndrome who have shoulder pain for at least 3 months.

  Recruiting Vejle Hospital · Vejle · NCT07792434

• Pain phenotype and response to corticosteroid injection in SAPS

  This study tests whether people with subacromial pain syndrome who have a nociplastic pain pattern respond differently to a corticosteroid injection than those without that pattern.

  Recruiting Vejle Hospital · Vejle · NCT07792421

• Empowered Relief and Exercise Rehab for Subacromial Shoulder Pain

  This study tests whether a single 2-hour online Empowered Relief session helps adults with subacromial shoulder pain stick with a 12-week home exercise program and see if their pain-related thoughts change.

  Recruiting at 10 sites University College Copenhagen · Ballerup Municipality and 9 other locations · NCT07791784

• Unstable vs. Stable Shoulder Press in Overhead Athletes with Shoulder Pain

  This study tests whether unstable loads change shoulder movement and muscle activation in overhead athletes with subacromial pain compared to stable loads, and compares those with healthy athletes.

  Recruiting National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · Taipei · NCT07646899

• Attention-shift exercise program for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain

  This will test whether doing shoulder exercises while also performing attention-shifting movements reduces pain and improves function for people with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

  Recruiting Istanbul University · Istanbul · NCT07546084

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.