Movement-and-thinking therapy versus exercise for chronic 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 single-blind, randomized controlled trial will enroll 148 adults with chronic shoulder pain and randomly assign them to two parallel groups. One group will receive cognitive functional therapy (4–8 weekly sessions), while the other follows a therapeutic exercise protocol delivered twice weekly for eight weeks. Primary outcomes are pain intensity and disability, and secondary outcomes include shoulder-specific function, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, sleep quality, treatment expectations, perceived change, satisfaction, and exercise adherence. Outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention period to compare effects between the two approaches.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 65 years, will be included if they have had shoulder pain for at least 3 months and report a pain intensity of at least 3 points on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at rest or during arm movement. Additionally, they must have a minimum score of 20 points on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals will not be included if they have adhesive capsulitis, defined as a loss of more than 50% of passive shoulder range of motion in external rotation; previous shoulder surgery; a history of shoulder fracture; systemic musculoskeletal diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia); shoulder pain reproduced by active or passive cervical spine movement; signs of glenohumeral instability identified by a positive sulcus test or a positive apprehension test indicating laxity in the glenohumeral joint; self-reported systemic disease; a positive drop arm test; pregnancy; active cancer treatment; neurological diseases; cognitive impairments; corticosteroid injection within three months prior to the intervention; or physical therapy in the three months preceding the study.

Participants will be discontinued from the study if they experience fractures, surgeries, musculoskeletal or neural injuries that prevent access to treatment, or receive corticosteroid injections during the treatment or follow-up period.

Where it's running

• Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos
  São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Matheus Dias Gregorio
• Email: matheusgregorio@estudante.ufscar.br
• Phone: +55 (14) 99679-3919

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

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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.