Niel-Asher technique added to sleeper stretch and usual therapy for frozen shoulder
Additional Effects of Niel Asher Technique Along With Sleeper Stretch on Posterior Capsule in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis.
This trial will test whether adding the Niel-Asher technique to sleeper stretches and conventional physical therapy helps adults with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) reduce pain, improve shoulder motion, and regain function.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Islamabad, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07203963 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center randomized controlled trial compares Niel-Asher technique plus sleeper stretch against sleeper stretch with conventional physical therapy in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Participants are adults aged 40–60 in phase two or three of frozen shoulder who have trigger points in rotator cuff or deltoid muscles. Primary outcomes include pain, active and passive shoulder range of motion, and functional disability. Treatments are delivered in person at the recruiting hospital with follow-up assessments to gauge additional benefit of the manual technique.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 40–60 years old diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (phase two or three) who have trigger points in the rotator cuff or deltoid and who can attend in-person therapy sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with recent shoulder surgery, infection, fracture, pregnancy, recent intra-articular steroid injection (within 6 months), significant spinal injury or other major comorbidity, active malignancy, or those enrolled in another intervention study are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding the Niel-Asher technique could provide faster or greater reductions in pain and improvements in shoulder range of motion and daily function than standard therapy alone.
How similar studies have performed: Manual therapy plus stretching for frozen shoulder has shown mixed but sometimes positive results in prior studies, while direct evidence specifically for the Niel-Asher technique is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40-60 years * Both Genders: Male and Female * Patient falls under diagnostic criteria for adhesive capsulitis which is Painful and limited active and passive glenohumeral ROM in capsular pattern (external rotation\> abduction\> internal rotation) * Patient diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis by orthopedic or general physician * Patient with phase two and three of adhesive capsulitis based on duration of symptoms * Patients of adhesive capsulitis with presence of trigger points in rotator cuff muscles and deltoid muscle (trigger points present in at least 1 or 2 of these muscles) based on simon and travell's criteria of trigger points diagnosis. Exclusion Criteria: * Spinal Injuries and any other co- morbidity * Any surgery, infection, trauma, pregnancy, fracture and fall * Patient with intra articular steroidal therapy with in last 6 months * Patient unwilling to comply follow up schedule * Patient involvement in another intervention study * Malignancy * Patient with thyroid disorders and RA and Glenohumeral OA * History of previous surgery or manipulation under anesthesia of affected shoulder * Patient with duration of symptoms of less than three months
Where this trial is running
Islamabad, Punjab Province
- Shafi International Hospital — Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kinza Anwar, Ms-Ompt — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: Kinza Anwar, Ms-Ompt
- Email: kinza.anwar@riphah.edu.pk
- Phone: +92-3239735427
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.