Adhesive CapsulitisNCT07283016
Effects of Pectoralis Minor Exercises on Shoulder Pain, Scapular Dyskinesis and Thoracic Expansion in Adhesive Capsulitis Patients
A study testing Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercises and Mobility and Stability exercises in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences.
Trial summary
The goal of the current study is to evaluate the effects of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises in patients aged 40-70 years with adhesive capsulitis. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- What is being tested?
- Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercises and Mobility and Stability exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Dec 2025to Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: 40 - 70 years
- Gender: Both Male \& Female
- Clinical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis (Thawing stage).
- Reduced thoracic expansion.
- Scapular dyskinesis
Who cannot join
- Presence of rotator cuff tear, labral tears, or glenohumeral arthritis confirmed through imaging
- Post-stroke hemiparesis,
- Winged scapula due to lesions of long thoracic nerve or spinal accessory nerve.
- Rotator cuff repair
- Capsular release
- Arthroplasty
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD contact
About this study
Official title: Effects of Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening Exercises on Shoulder Pain, Scapular Dyskinesis and Thoracic Expansion Among Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of the current study is to evaluate the effects of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises in patients aged 40-70 years with adhesive capsulitis. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the combination of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises significantly reduce shoulder pain compared to mobility and stability exercises only? Does the combination of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises improve scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion more effectively than mobility and stability exercises? Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening exercises with mobility and stability exercises or a control group receiving mobility and stability exercises only, and will complete standardized assessments of shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the combined effects of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises on shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion in individuals with adhesive capsulitis. It is commonly linked to reduce pectoralis minor tightness and improve pectoralis minor strength and interventions that target both mobility and stability as well as pectoralis minor correction may offer improved clinical outcomes of shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion. All participants will undergo baseline assessment, including shoulder pain measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, scapular dyskinesis assessed using the modified scapular assistance test, and thoracic expansion measured using a cloth measuring tape.
Participants will be randomized into two groups (Control Group and Experimental Group). Participants in the control group will perform mobility and stability exercises. Mobility Exercises are passive range-of-motion exercises combined with joint mobilization techniques such as pendulum exercises, wall crawls, and towel stretches. Stability Exercises are isometric rotator cuff exercises. Participants in the experimental group will perform mobility and stability exercises as described in the control group, plus pectoralis minor exercises. Pectoralis minor stretching exercises are unilateral corner and foam roller stretches. Pectoralis minor strengthening exercises are scapular push-ups (protraction-focused), scapular protraction with resistance bands, and wall slides with scapular protraction.
The interventions will occur 4 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-40 minutes. Participants will be advised to avoid any external treatments during the study period. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted immediately after six weeks post intervention. This study aims to clarify whether the integration of pectoralis minor exercises results in superior clinical outcomes compared to mobility and stability exercises alone in the management of adhesive capsulitis.
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Being tested
- Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercises, Mobility and Stability exercises
- Keywords
- Strengthening exercises, Scapular dyskinesis, Shoulder Pain, Thoracic Expansion, Pectoralis minor
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis, Shoulder Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercisesOther
Participants in this group will follow a 6 week program targeting the Pectoralis Minor exercises in addition to mobility and stability exercises as explained in the control group used for adhesive capsulitis management. Pectoralis minor exercises include pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening. Pectoralis minor stretching exercises are unilateral corner and foam roller stretches (4 repetitions × 30 seconds hold, with a 30-second rest, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks) to improve chest mobility. Pectoralis minor strengthening exercises are scapular push-ups (protraction-focused), scapular protraction with resistance bands, and wall slides with scapular protraction (3 sets × 10 repetitions, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks) to boost muscle strength and support proper scapular movement. These interventions aim to reduce shoulder pain, improve scapular function, and enhance chest compliance in patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Mobility and Stability exercisesOther
Participants in the control group will receive a standardized physical therapy protocol commonly used for adhesive capsulitis management over a period of 6 weeks. This will include mobility and stability exercises. Mobility Exercises are passive range-of-motion exercises combined with joint mobilization techniques such as pendulum exercises, wall crawls, and towel stretches (3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks). Stability Exercises are isometric rotator cuff exercises performed (3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks). This basic treatment approach aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and support gradual recovery in adhesive capsulitis without specifically targeting the pectoralis minor.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability Exercises Receives: Other: Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercises |
| Control group | Active comparator | Mobility and Stability Exercises Receives: Other: Mobility and Stability exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain intensity is assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale functions as a basic method to examine pain severity. It is a unidimensional measure where participants rate their pain on an 11-point scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "worst pain imaginable". The assessment tool is available through spoken language or visual presentation, enabling smooth clinical application. Participants select the number that best represents their current level of discomfort, with higher scores indicating greater levels of pain intensity.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Scapular Dyskinesis
Scapular dyskinesis is evaluated using the Modified Scapular Assistance Test. The Modified Scapular Assistance Test functions as a clinical evaluation method for determining how scapular dyskinesis affects shoulder pain symptoms. During the test, the examiner provides manual assistance to both upward scapular rotation and scapular posterior tilting as the patient performs shoulder arm elevation. The test result is determined by the change in pain symptoms. The test becomes positive when the pain decreases by two points or more during motion assistance compared to unassisted movement, pointing to scapular motion dysfunction as a potential symptomatic factor.
The Modified Scapular Assistance Test is not a numerical scoring test. It is a qualitative value. It is positive when the patient's shoulder pain decreases and it is negative when the shoulder Pain does not decrease.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6
Thoracic expansion
Thoracic expansion is measured using a cloth measuring tape. This serves as a practical clinical method to assess chest wall movement and respiratory function. Measurements are taken at three specific anatomical levels: the axilla, the fourth intercostal space, and the xiphoid level. The difference in chest circumference between full expiration and full inspiration is recorded for each level. Higher values representing the difference between inspiration and expiration indicate greater thoracic mobility and chest expansion.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Dec 2025
- Study startDec 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completionFeb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Adhesive CapsulitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, Principal investigator, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07283016
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/030
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 24 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: IPD will be shared after completion of the study
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening Exercises on Shoulder Pain, Scapular Dyskinesis and Thoracic Expansion Among Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07283016
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/030
- Conditions
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Keywords
- Strengthening exercises, Scapular dyskinesis, Shoulder Pain, Thoracic Expansion, Pectoralis minor
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of the current study is to evaluate the effects of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises in patients aged 40-70 years with adhesive capsulitis. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the combination of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises significantly reduce shoulder pain compared to mobility and stability exercises only? Does the combination of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises improve scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion more effectively than mobility and stability exercises? Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening exercises with mobility and stability exercises or a control group receiving mobility and stability exercises only, and will complete standardized assessments of shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the combined effects of pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening with mobility and stability exercises on shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion in individuals with adhesive capsulitis. It is commonly linked to reduce pectoralis minor tightness and improve pectoralis minor strength and interventions that target both mobility and stability as well as pectoralis minor correction may offer improved clinical outcomes of shoulder pain, scapular dyskinesis (scapular movement patterns) and thoracic expansion. All participants will undergo baseline assessment, including shoulder pain measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, scapular dyskinesis assessed using the modified scapular assistance test, and thoracic expansion measured using a cloth measuring tape.
Participants will be randomized into two groups (Control Group and Experimental Group). Participants in the control group will perform mobility and stability exercises. Mobility Exercises are passive range-of-motion exercises combined with joint mobilization techniques such as pendulum exercises, wall crawls, and towel stretches. Stability Exercises are isometric rotator cuff exercises. Participants in the experimental group will perform mobility and stability exercises as described in the control group, plus pectoralis minor exercises. Pectoralis minor stretching exercises are unilateral corner and foam roller stretches. Pectoralis minor strengthening exercises are scapular push-ups (protraction-focused), scapular protraction with resistance bands, and wall slides with scapular protraction.
The interventions will occur 4 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-40 minutes. Participants will be advised to avoid any external treatments during the study period. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted immediately after six weeks post intervention. This study aims to clarify whether the integration of pectoralis minor exercises results in superior clinical outcomes compared to mobility and stability exercises alone in the management of adhesive capsulitis.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Other: Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercisesPectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability Exercises |
| Control group | Active comparator | Other: Mobility and Stability exercisesMobility and Stability Exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age: 40 - 70 years
- Gender: Both Male \& Female
- Clinical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis (Thawing stage).
- Reduced thoracic expansion.
- Scapular dyskinesis
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of rotator cuff tear, labral tears, or glenohumeral arthritis confirmed through imaging
- Post-stroke hemiparesis,
- Winged scapula due to lesions of long thoracic nerve or spinal accessory nerve.
- Rotator cuff repair
- Capsular release
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercisesParticipants in this group will follow a 6 week program targeting the Pectoralis Minor exercises in addition to mobility and stability exercises as explained in the control group used for adhesive capsulitis management. Pectoralis minor exercises include pectoralis minor stretching and strengthening. Pectoralis minor stretching exercises are unilateral corner and foam roller stretches (4 repetitions × 30 seconds hold, with a 30-second rest, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks) to improve chest mobility. Pectoralis minor strengthening exercises are scapular push-ups (protraction-focused), scapular protraction with resistance bands, and wall slides with scapular protraction (3 sets × 10 repetitions, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks) to boost muscle strength and support proper scapular movement. These interventions aim to reduce shoulder pain, improve scapular function, and enhance chest compliance in patients with adhesive capsulitis. | Other | Experimental Group |
| Mobility and Stability exercisesParticipants in the control group will receive a standardized physical therapy protocol commonly used for adhesive capsulitis management over a period of 6 weeks. This will include mobility and stability exercises. Mobility Exercises are passive range-of-motion exercises combined with joint mobilization techniques such as pendulum exercises, wall crawls, and towel stretches (3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks). Stability Exercises are isometric rotator cuff exercises performed (3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise, performed 4 days a week for 6 weeks). This basic treatment approach aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and support gradual recovery in adhesive capsulitis without specifically targeting the pectoralis minor. | Other | Control group |
Primary outcome
Shoulder Pain
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Shoulder pain intensity is assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale functions as a basic method to examine pain severity. It is a unidimensional measure where participants rate their pain on an 11-point scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "worst pain imaginable". The assessment tool is available through spoken language or visual presentation, enabling smooth clinical application. Participants select the number that best represents their current level of discomfort, with higher scores indicating greater levels of pain intensity.
2 secondary outcomes
Scapular Dyskinesis
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6
Thoracic expansion
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. IPD will be shared after completion of the study
Related trials for Adhesive Capsulitis
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Effects of Clinic Versus mHealth Application-Based Shoulder Rehabilitation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
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Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Physiotherapy Outcomes in Postmenopausal Women With Frozen Shoulder
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Effects of Posterior Capsular Stretching With and Without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises in Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder
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Spencer vs. Ola Grimsby Techniques With Scapular Motor Training in Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis
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OMT for Adhesive Capsulitis
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD contact
MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ principal investigator
Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pectoralis Minor Stretching and Strengthening with Mobility and Stability exercises and Mobility and Stability exercises in people with Adhesive Capsulitis, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Muhammad Hamza Mushtaq, DPT (+923078161298, ubs24lmspt026@ubas.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Shoulder Pain (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Dec 2025.