Neuropathic pain, catastrophizing, and therapy adherence in shoulder impingement

The Relationship Between Neuropathic Pain, Pain Catastrophizing, and Adherence-Related Behavior in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Observational Abant Izzet Baysal University · NCT07509021

This study will see if people with subacromial impingement who have neuropathic pain also report more pain catastrophizing and lower adherence during a standard physical therapy program.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorAbant Izzet Baysal University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bolu)
Trial IDNCT07509021 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective observational cohort follows patients with unilateral subacromial impingement scheduled for a 10-session outpatient physical therapy program. Participants complete validated scales for neuropathic pain features, pain catastrophizing, and adherence-related behavior at baseline and after completing therapy. The study excludes patients with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, recent injections or surgery, complete rotator cuff tears, calcific tendinitis, frozen shoulder, pregnancy, or cognitive impairment. Findings aim to identify links between pain characteristics, psychological factors, and adherence to help tailor rehabilitation strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with unilateral subacromial impingement lasting at least three months who are about to start a 10-session outpatient physical therapy program and can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, generalized neuropathy, complete rotator cuff tears, recent shoulder injections or therapy, pregnancy, cognitive impairment, or other excluded conditions will not be included and therefore are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, results could help clinicians identify patients who may need additional pain-focused or psychological support to improve rehabilitation outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Prior musculoskeletal research has linked neuropathic pain signs and catastrophizing to worse outcomes, but combining these factors with adherence behavior specifically in subacromial impingement is relatively underexplored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome lasting at least 3 months
* Planned to start a 10-session physical therapy program
* Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Upper extremity entrapment neuropathy or polyneuropathy
* History of diabetes mellitus
* Inflammatory rheumatic disease, infection, or malignancy
* Frozen shoulder
* History of shoulder fracture, dislocation, or surgery
* Complete rotator cuff tear on magnetic resonance imaging
* Calcific tendinitis
* Shoulder steroid injection or physical therapy within the previous 3 months
* Use of medication for neuropathic pain
* Pregnancy
* Cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires

Where this trial is running

Bolu

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Subacromial Impingement SyndromeNeuropathic PainPain CatastrophizingShoulder PainAdherence-related behavior
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.