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Rotator Cuff TendinitisNCT07389252

Fascial Manipulation on Scapulohumeral Rhythm and Proprioception in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinitis.

A study testing Fascial manipulation technique and Conventional PT in people with Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation on Scapulohumeral Rhythm and Proprioception in Patients with Rotator cuff tendinitis Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 45 years
Conditions the study is for
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
What is being tested?
Fascial manipulation technique and Conventional PT
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
32 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
30 Aug 2025to 30 Dec 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 20 to 45 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.
  • Participants aged 20-45 years.
  • Gender: Male and female
  • A confirmed diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinitis based on clinical evaluation. (positive Hawkin's test, Jobe test, Empty can test, Hornblower test)
  • Persistent shoulder pain for at least 3 months.
  • Willingness to provide informed consent and adhere to the study protocol.

Who cannot join

  • Participants falling in this category would be excluded from the study.
  • History of shoulder surgery or severe structural deformities affecting the shoulder joint.
  • Recent fracture in the upper limb.
  • Recent dislocation in the upper limb.
  • Uncontrolled or severe comorbidities (e.g., advanced osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes).
  • Signs or symptoms of serious underlying pathology such as infection or malignancy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pakistan1 site
  • Life care Physiotherapy Clinic, Shahmansoor, Swabi

    Swabi, Khyber Pakhunkhwa, 23340

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation on Scapulohumeral Rhythm and Proprioception in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to find the effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation on Scapulohumeral Rhythm and Proprioception in Patients with Rotator cuff tendinitis

Read the detailed description

Rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis) which hold the shoulder joint and provide movement any injury to the tendon of these muscles cause rotator cuff tendinitis among all of these the supraspinatus tendon is more prone to injury because of its blood supply pattern the head of the humerus put pressure on supraspinatus tendon and hence degenerative changes started.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy typically presents with dull, aching pain around the shoulder joint, particularly over the areas of the four rotator cuff tendons. This discomfort is often aggravated by activities such as reaching overhead, reaching behind the back, lifting, or sleeping on the affected side. Pain is especially noticeable during shoulder elevation and abduction, often limiting the range of motion to less than 90° in abduction and forward flexion (anteflexion). Activities of daily living (ADLs) can become increasingly painful. The onset of pain is gradual rather than sudden and tends to persist over time The manual technique itself consists in creating localized heat by friction by using the elbow, knuckle, or fingertips on the abovementioned points. The mechanical and chemical stress effects on connective tissue are well known and a local rise in temperature could affect the ground substance of the deep fascia in these specific points. Tensional adaptation can then propagate along an entire MF sequence, diagonal, or spiral, re-establishing a physiological balance.

Fascial manipulation aims to release fascial restrictions, improve blood flow, and restore neuromuscular function. Unlike conventional treatments, FM addresses the underlying fascial adhesions that contribute to the disruption of scapulohumeral rhythm and proprioception, offering a more integrated and holistic solution to these problems. In my study, we will investigate how fascial manipulation affects proprioception and scapulohumeral rhythm in patients with rotator cuff impingement syndrome The concept that proprioception is mainly work on the mechanoreceptors which convert mechanical energy to electrical nerve impulse which give signals to central nervous system about the joint position and orientation.

  • This study aims to determine if fascial manipulation can enhance the effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy by addressing myofascial restrictions that contribute to chronic tendinitis. Unlike many studies that focus on acute rotator cuff injuries, this study targets chronic cases where long-term inflammation and dysfunction persist. The research will assess long-term functional improvements rather than short-term symptom relief. While most studies focus primarily on pain reduction, this study will investigate how fascial manipulation affects scapular movement coordination and proprioceptive control, which are critical for shoulder rehabilitation.
Being tested
Fascial manipulation technique, Conventional PT
Keywords
Fascial Manipulation, Scapulohumeral Rhythm, Proprioception, Rotator cuff tendinitis
Medical subject headings
Rotator Cuff Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Fascial manipulation techniqueOther

    In initially step the patient in prone position and therapist approach on the same side of the treatment limb. Use the thumb by applying the pressure on the side of the target muscle. The treatment sequence will begin with thumb gradually involve the finger. A single treatment consists of a series of specific sequences of these moves with frequent pauses 2 to 5 minutes. Treatment session duration 15-30 minutes occur 2 days per week, for 4 weeks.

    Week 1(Fascial Manipulation on the targeted muscle for 5 minutes) week 2(Fascial Manipulation on the targeted muscle for 10 minutes) week 3(Fascial Manipulation on the targeted muscle for 15 minutes) week 4 (Fascial Manipulation on the targeted muscle for 20 minutes) Conventional PT including 1- hot pack (for 15 minutes)2- Periscapular exercises, a. shoulder shrug exercise (3 sets of 10 reps.) b. prone arm hangs (3 sets of 10 reps) 3- shoulder proprioception exercises a. Ball throws (30 reps) six times

  • Conventional PTOther

    Conventional PT including 1- hot pack (for 15 minutes)2- Periscapular exercises, a. shoulder shrug exercise (3 sets of 10 reps.) b. prone arm hangs (3 sets of 10 reps) 3- shoulder proprioception exercises a. Ball throws (30 reps) six times b. abc's on wall exercise 4- Shoulder stability exercises a. Ts Ys exercise (3 sets) b. side-lying external rotations (3 sets of 10 reps.) Total duration is 3 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks.

Study groups in NCT07389252
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental: Fascial Manipulation technique + Conventional PTExperimentalFascial Manipulation in Patients with Rotator cuff tendinitis + Conventional therapy
Receives: Other: Fascial manipulation technique; Other: Conventional PT
Control: Conventional PTActive comparatorConventional PT including 1- hot pack (for 15 minutes)2- Periscapular exercises, a. shoulder shrug exercise (3 sets of 10 reps.) b. prone arm hangs (3 sets of 10 reps) 3- shoulder proprioception exercises a. Ball throws (30 reps) six times b. abc's on wall exercise 4- Shoulder stability exercises a. Ts Ys exercise (3 sets) b. side-lying external rotations (3 sets of 10 reps.) Total duration is 3 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks.
Receives: Other: Conventional PT

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Lateral scapular slide test (LSST)

    In the LSSTs, the distance from the inferior angle of the scapula to thoracic vertebral spinous process T8 was measured in three positions (shoulder joint 0°, 45°, and 90° abduction) using tape measures

    Measured: 4 weeks

  2. Joint position sense test.

    A laser-pointer attached to the index finger during an ART allowed measurement (mm) of JPS by measuring the distance between the target and relocated position. Participants were blindfolded and stood an arm's length (approximately 1 m) away from the wall. Whilst keeping the wrist in neutral and elbow extended, the participant actively moved to the target position (90° glenohumeral flexion), held for 5 seconds, returned their arm to their side and actively returned to the target position. A mean was calculated from three trials to provide an ART score

    Measured: 4 weeks

  3. Goniometer

    Participants will be assessed in a standardized supine position to minimize compensatory trunk or scapular movements. Bony landmarks (acromion, humeral epicondyle, mid-axillary line, olecranon process, and ulnar styloid) will be palpated for goniometer alignment. The fulcrum will be placed at the joint axis, the stationary arm aligned with the proximal reference (thorax/sternum), and the moving arm aligned with the distal segment (humerus/ulna).

    Measured: 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Feb 2026
  2. Study start30 Aug 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion30 Dec 2025

Resources

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, Investigator
Enrolment
32 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07389252
Sponsor's protocol ID
REC/S24C08G30009 Aimen Ibrahim
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
25 Sep 2025
Last updated
5 Feb 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Pascoal AG, van der Helm FF, Pezarat Correia P, Carita I. Effects of different arm external loads on the scapulo-humeral rhythm. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2000;15 Suppl 1:S21-4. doi: 10.1016/s0268-0033(00)00055-3.

    PubMed 11078901
  • Bellotti S, Busato M, Cattaneo C, Branchini M. Effectiveness of the Fascial Manipulation Approach Associated with a Physiotherapy Program in Recurrent Shoulder Disease. Life (Basel). 2023 Jun 15;13(6):1396. doi: 10.3390/life13061396.

    PubMed 37374178
  • Day JA, Stecco C, Stecco A. Application of Fascial Manipulation technique in chronic shoulder pain--anatomical basis and clinical implications. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009 Apr;13(2):128-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.04.044. Epub 2008 Jun 24.

    PubMed 19329049
  • Moccia D, Nackashi AA, Schilling R, Ward PJ. Fascial bundles of the infraspinatus fascia: anatomy, function, and clinical considerations. J Anat. 2016 Jan;228(1):176-83. doi: 10.1111/joa.12386. Epub 2015 Sep 25.

    PubMed 26403802
  • Szczurko O, Cooley K, Mills EJ, Zhou Q, Perri D, Seely D. Naturopathic treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis among Canadian postal workers: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Aug 15;61(8):1037-45. doi: 10.1002/art.24675.

    PubMed 19644905
  • Macnab I. Rotator cuff tendinitis. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1973 Nov;53(5):271-87. No abstract available.

    PubMed 4759907
  • Varacallo MA, El Bitar Y, Mair SD. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. 2023 Aug 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532270/

    PubMed 30335303
  • Rechardt M, Shiri R, Karppinen J, Jula A, Heliovaara M, Viikari-Juntura E. Lifestyle and metabolic factors in relation to shoulder pain and rotator cuff tendinitis: a population-based study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Jul 20;11:165. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-165.

    PubMed 20646281

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Fascial manipulation technique and Conventional PT in people with Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

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 6 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Lateral scapular slide test (LSST) (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07389252, which also lists 8 linked publications.

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 5 Feb 2026.

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