Therapeutic exercise for shoulder pain relief

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 study investigates the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for patients suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy and subacromial pain syndrome. It aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of pain relief through brain imaging and identify predictors of positive responses to exercise. The research will focus on the relationship between biomechanical factors and pain-related issues in individuals with chronic shoulder pain. By optimizing exercise delivery, the study seeks to improve treatment outcomes for affected patients.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. the clinical diagnosis for RC tendinopathy will be made with positive 3 of 5 tests: Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer, painful arc, empty can, external rotation resistance test
2. pain ≥ 3/10 on a numeric pain rating scale
3. age: 18 - 45 years
4. Participant must read, sign and date the appropriate Informed consent document.
5. Participant BMI ≤ 30

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Insufficient ability to comprehend and complete the questionnaires,
2. Inability to attend sessions,
3. Prior surgery of shoulder, neck or thoracic spine,
4. Primary complaint of neck or thoracic pain,
5. Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis,
6. Any serious spinal and shoulder pathology: infections, arthrosis, rheumatic disorders, acute fractures, shoulder dislocation, osteoporosis, or tumors,
7. Central Nervous System involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman and/or Babinski reflexes,
8. two or more neurologic signs of nerve root compression to include myotomal weakness, positive muscle stretch reflex, and dermatomal sensory loss,
9. any shoulder or arm pain with cervical spine tests of Spurling's Test, cervical rotation to the ipsilateral side, or axial compression test, or
10. primary adhesive capsulitis defined by passive range of motion loss \>50% as compared bilaterally of shoulder external rotation, internal rotation, or elevation.
11. Has a device or other condition that is not safe for MRI, including pacemakers.

Where it's running

• Clinical Biomechanics Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research Laboratory
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Lori A Michener, PT, ATC, PhD — University of Southern California
• Study coordinator: Lori A Michener, PT, ATC, PhD
• Email: lmichene@usc.edu
• Phone: 323-224-5032

Similar studies

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

• Embolization treatment for chronic shoulder pain

  This study is testing if adding a special procedure called embolization to physical therapy can help people with ongoing shoulder pain from rotator cuff issues feel better compared to just doing physical therapy alone.

  Recruiting Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT06095050

• Hybrid mobile health and telerehabilitation vs in-person physiotherapy for shoulder pain

  This study tests whether a mobile-health program, tele-rehabilitation sessions, or conventional physiotherapy can help adults with Subacromial Pain Syndrome.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Rawalpindi, Federal · NCT07921160

• 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

• Rotator cuff repair with biceps rerouting and dermal graft augmentation for large, difficult tears

  This study tests a combined surgical approach to see if it helps tendon retear rates in adults with large rotator cuff tears that are hard to repair.

  Recruiting Tam Anh Research Institute · Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh · NCT07875556

• 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

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.