Subacromial Pain SyndromeNCT07621016
Effects of Dry Needling in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
A study testing Dry needling and Therapeutic Exercise in people with Subacromial Pain Syndrome, run by Universidad Europea de Valencia at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise improves shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. The study will also assess its effects on dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Subacromial Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Dry needling and Therapeutic Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- Jun 2026to Mar 2027
- 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 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years.
- Clinical diagnosis of subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) according to the Dutch Orthopaedic Association criteria: presence of a painful arc and at least two positive tests among the following: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer sign, Jobe test, Drop Arm test, or Gerber test.
- Participation in sports involving predominant upper-limb activity between 2 and 4 hours per week.
Who cannot join
- Previous surgery involving the upper extremities.
- Diagnosis of specific shoulder pathologies other than SAPS at the time of the study.
- Receipt of medical or physiotherapy treatment within the month prior to the intervention.
- Needle phobia or refusal to receive dry needling treatment.
- Presence of vestibular disorders, balance impairments, or vascular alterations that could interfere with study measurements.
- Confirmed or suspected pregnancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Alejandro Sendín Magdalena, PT, MSc, PhD contact
Spain1 site
Clínica Dr Villarón
Valencia, Valencia, 46006
Carlos A Villarón Casales, Clin. Dir., + 34 611 68 62 26, cvillaron@gmail.com
Pablo Taberner Mortes, PT, MSc, +34 680869335, pablo.taberner@universidadeuropea.es
About this study
Official title: Effects of Dry Needling on Proprioception, Dynamic Stability, Strength, Pain Perception, and Disability in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise improves shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. The study will also assess its effects on dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Read more
Does dry needling improve shoulder proprioception compared with therapeutic exercise alone? Does dry needling improve dynamic shoulder stability and muscle strength? Does dry needling reduce pain and upper limb disability?
Researchers will compare a group receiving dry needling plus therapeutic exercise with a group performing therapeutic exercise alone to determine whether the combined intervention produces better outcomes.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Perform a home-based therapeutic exercise program for 3 weeks. Complete assessments of proprioception, dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction in both the general population and athletes involved in repetitive upper-limb activities. In sports requiring overhead movements, throwing actions, or repetitive shoulder loading, the increased mechanical demand placed on the glenohumeral joint may contribute to functional impairments, persistent pain, and reduced athletic performance.
Several studies have reported proprioceptive deficits and sensorimotor control alterations in individuals with SAPS. These impairments may affect joint position sense, muscular coordination, and dynamic shoulder stability, potentially contributing to symptom persistence and increasing the risk of recurrent injury. Previous research has also associated proprioceptive deficits with higher pain intensity, functional disability, and reduced neuromuscular control.
Proprioception plays a fundamental role in sensory integration and in the regulation of precise and coordinated shoulder movements. Altered afferent input from muscular and articular structures may impair dynamic stabilization mechanisms and compromise upper-limb function during sports activities.
Dry needling is a minimally invasive physiotherapy technique widely used for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Previous studies have demonstrated positive effects of dry needling on pain and functional disability in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. In addition, research conducted in other joints has suggested that dry needling may influence motor control, postural stability, and proprioceptive mechanisms.
Despite the growing clinical interest in this intervention, there is currently limited evidence regarding the effects of dry needling on shoulder proprioception and sensorimotor variables in individuals with SAPS, particularly in athletic populations. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine whether adding dry needling to a therapeutic exercise program may provide additional benefits for neuromuscular control and shoulder function.
The primary aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise on shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. Additionally, the study will assess the potential effects of the intervention on dynamic stability, shoulder isometric strength, pain perception, and upper-limb functional disability.
A randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups will be conducted. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to:
an experimental group receiving dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise, or a control group receiving therapeutic exercise alone.
The intervention period will last 3 weeks. Participants in the experimental group will receive two dry needling sessions separated by a 10-day interval. The technique will be administered by an experienced physiotherapist with specialized training in dry needling, following a predefined protocol based on the available scientific literature.
The intervention will target myofascial trigger points located in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with shoulder pain and subacromial pain syndrome. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination procedures.
Both groups will perform a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program focused on muscular strengthening, neuromuscular control, and shoulder function. Participants will receive individualized instructions, and adherence to the exercise program will be monitored using follow-up records.
Outcome assessments will be performed by an evaluator blinded to group allocation in order to minimize measurement bias. Measurements will be collected at three time points: baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session, to evaluate changes in proprioception, dynamic stability, muscular strength, pain, and functional disability.
This study aims to provide clinical evidence regarding the potential role of dry needling as an adjunct to therapeutic exercise in the management of sensorimotor and functional impairments associated with subacromial pain syndrome in athletic populations. The findings may contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving shoulder function and optimizing functional recovery in athletes with this condition.
- Conditions
- Subacromial Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Dry needling, Therapeutic Exercise
- Keywords
- subacromial pain syndrome, dry needling, shoulder proprioception, shoulder pain
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry needlingProcedure or surgery
Dry needling will be applied to active myofascial trigger points identified in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with subacromial pain syndrome, including supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, and anterior and middle deltoid muscles. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination. The intervention will be performed by an experienced physiotherapist using sterile disposable needles and a standardized fast in-fast out technique. Participants will receive two dry needling sessions separated by a 10-day interval.
Therapeutic ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will perform a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program focused on shoulder strengthening, neuromuscular control, and sensorimotor function using elastic resistance bands. The exercise program will be performed three times per week for 3 weeks following a standardized protocol. Participants will receive individualized instruction, exercise materials, and adherence monitoring throughout the intervention period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needling + therapeutic exercise | Experimental | Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive a combined intervention consisting of dry needling and a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program over a 3-week period. Dry needling will be applied to active myofascial trigger points in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with subacromial pain syndrome, including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, and anterior and middle deltoid muscles. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination based on the presence of a palpable taut band, a hypersensitive spot, reproduction of recognizable pain, and local twitch response. The intervention will be performed by a physiotherapist with more than 10 years of experience and certified training in dry needling, using a fast in-fast out technique with sterile disposable needles after skin disinfection with chlorhexidine. Receives: Procedure: Dry needling; Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercise |
| Therapeutic exercise | Active comparator | Participants assigned to the control group will receive a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program over a 3-week period without dry needling intervention. The exercise program will focus on shoulder strengthening, neuromuscular control, and sensorimotor function using elastic resistance bands. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for 3 weeks following a standardized protocol. All participants will receive individualized in-person instruction from a physiotherapist to ensure correct exercise execution. Participants will also receive the necessary exercise materials and an adherence diary to record compliance throughout the intervention period. The therapeutic exercise program will be identical to the experimental group in terms of exercise type, frequency, duration, supervision, and home-based format. Receives: Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Shoulder Proprioception Assessed With the Joint Position Sense Test
Shoulder proprioception will be evaluated using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test. Participants will actively reproduce a predefined shoulder position (abduction at 60°), and the absolute angular repositioning error in degrees will be recorded using an inclinometer. Scores range from 0 degrees (perfect repositioning) to no defined upper limit, with lower values indicating better proprioceptive accuracy.
Measured: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Secondary outcomes (4)
Dynamic Shoulder Stability Assessed With the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Dynamic shoulder stability will be assessed using the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ). Reach distances in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions will be recorded in centimeters, with a minimum score of 0 cm and no predefined upper limit. Greater reach distance indicates better dynamic stability and sensorimotor performance.
Measured: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Isometric Shoulder Strength Assessed With Handheld Dynamometry
Isometric strength of the shoulder abductors and rotator muscles will be measured using a handheld dynamometer during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Force values are recorded in Newtons, with a minimum of 0 N and no predefined upper limit. Higher force values indicate greater muscle strength.
Measured: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Pain Intensity Assessed With the Numeric Rating Scale
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Lower scores indicate lower pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Upper Limb Disability Assessed With the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire
Functional disability of the upper limb will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, scored from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates maximum disability. Higher scores indicate greater disability and functional impairment.
Measured: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jun 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Subacromial Pain SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Europea de Valencia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Carlos Alberto Villarón Casales, Universidad Europea de Valencia
- Investigators
- Carlos A Villaron Casales, PT, MSc, PhD, Principal investigator, Universidad Europea de Valencia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07621016
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SDSA-PS-2026
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 27 May 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical and data protection constraints under Spanish and European regulations (RGPD, Ley Orgánica 3/2018). Anonymized aggregate results will be made available through publication in peer-reviewed journals
Publications
Chys M, De Meulemeester K, De Greef I, Murillo C, Kindt W, Kouzouz Y, Lescroart B, Cagnie B. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain-An Umbrella Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):1205. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031205.
PubMed 36769852Arias-Buria JL, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Palacios-Cena M, Koppenhaver SL, Salom-Moreno J. Exercises and Dry Needling for Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial. J Pain. 2017 Jan;18(1):11-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.08.013. Epub 2016 Oct 5.
PubMed 27720812Salom-Moreno J, Ayuso-Casado B, Tamaral-Costa B, Sanchez-Mila Z, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Alburquerque-Sendin F. Trigger Point Dry Needling and Proprioceptive Exercises for the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:790209. doi: 10.1155/2015/790209. Epub 2015 Apr 30.
PubMed 26064172Gliga AC, Neagu NE, Voidazan S, Popoviciu HV, Bataga T. Effects of a Novel Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Device on Shoulder Joint Position Sense, Pain and Function. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 9;58(9):1248. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091248.
PubMed 36143925Ager AL, Borms D, Deschepper L, Dhooghe R, Dijkhuis J, Roy JS, Cools A. Proprioception: How is it affected by shoulder pain? A systematic review. J Hand Ther. 2020 Oct-Dec;33(4):507-516. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2019.06.002. Epub 2019 Aug 31.
PubMed 31481340Alfaya FF, Reddy RS, Alkhamis BA, Kandakurti PK, Mukherjee D. Shoulder Proprioception and Its Correlation with Pain Intensity and Functional Disability in Individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome-A Cross-Sectional Study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jun 17;13(12):2099. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13122099.
PubMed 37370994Blanco-Diaz M, Ruiz-Redondo R, Escobio-Prieto I, De la Fuente-Costa M, Albornoz-Cabello M, Casana J. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Subacromial Syndrome. Biology (Basel). 2022 Feb 4;11(2):243. doi: 10.3390/biology11020243.
PubMed 35205109Para-Garcia G, Garcia-Munoz AM, Lopez-Gil JF, Ruiz-Cardenas JD, Garcia-Guillen AI, Lopez-Roman FJ, Perez-Pinero S, Abellan-Ruiz MS, Canovas F, Victoria-Montesinos D. Dry Needling Alone or in Combination with Exercise Therapy versus Other Interventions for Reducing Pain and Disability in Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 2;19(17):10961. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710961.
PubMed 36078676
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Dry Needling on Proprioception, Dynamic Stability, Strength, Pain Perception, and Disability in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07621016
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SDSA-PS-2026
- Conditions
- Subacromial Pain Syndrome
- Keywords
- subacromial pain syndrome, dry needling, shoulder proprioception, shoulder pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Europea de ValenciaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jun 2026 (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 this clinical trial is to evaluate whether dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise improves shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. The study will also assess its effects on dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does dry needling improve shoulder proprioception compared with therapeutic exercise alone? Does dry needling improve dynamic shoulder stability and muscle strength? Does dry needling reduce pain and upper limb disability?
Researchers will compare a group receiving dry needling plus therapeutic exercise with a group performing therapeutic exercise alone to determine whether the combined intervention produces better outcomes.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Perform a home-based therapeutic exercise program for 3 weeks. Complete assessments of proprioception, dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction in both the general population and athletes involved in repetitive upper-limb activities. In sports requiring overhead movements, throwing actions, or repetitive shoulder loading, the increased mechanical demand placed on the glenohumeral joint may contribute to functional impairments, persistent pain, and reduced athletic performance.
Several studies have reported proprioceptive deficits and sensorimotor control alterations in individuals with SAPS. These impairments may affect joint position sense, muscular coordination, and dynamic shoulder stability, potentially contributing to symptom persistence and increasing the risk of recurrent injury. Previous research has also associated proprioceptive deficits with higher pain intensity, functional disability, and reduced neuromuscular control.
Proprioception plays a fundamental role in sensory integration and in the regulation of precise and coordinated shoulder movements. Altered afferent input from muscular and articular structures may impair dynamic stabilization mechanisms and compromise upper-limb function during sports activities.
Dry needling is a minimally invasive physiotherapy technique widely used for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Previous studies have demonstrated positive effects of dry needling on pain and functional disability in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. In addition, research conducted in other joints has suggested that dry needling may influence motor control, postural stability, and proprioceptive mechanisms.
Despite the growing clinical interest in this intervention, there is currently limited evidence regarding the effects of dry needling on shoulder proprioception and sensorimotor variables in individuals with SAPS, particularly in athletic populations. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine whether adding dry needling to a therapeutic exercise program may provide additional benefits for neuromuscular control and shoulder function.
The primary aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise on shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. Additionally, the study will assess the potential effects of the intervention on dynamic stability, shoulder isometric strength, pain perception, and upper-limb functional disability.
A randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups will be conducted. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to:
an experimental group receiving dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise, or a control group receiving therapeutic exercise alone.
The intervention period will last 3 weeks. Participants in the experimental group will receive two dry needling sessions separated by a 10-day interval. The technique will be administered by an experienced physiotherapist with specialized training in dry needling, following a predefined protocol based on the available scientific literature.
The intervention will target myofascial trigger points located in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with shoulder pain and subacromial pain syndrome. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination procedures.
Both groups will perform a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program focused on muscular strengthening, neuromuscular control, and shoulder function. Participants will receive individualized instructions, and adherence to the exercise program will be monitored using follow-up records.
Outcome assessments will be performed by an evaluator blinded to group allocation in order to minimize measurement bias. Measurements will be collected at three time points: baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session, to evaluate changes in proprioception, dynamic stability, muscular strength, pain, and functional disability.
This study aims to provide clinical evidence regarding the potential role of dry needling as an adjunct to therapeutic exercise in the management of sensorimotor and functional impairments associated with subacromial pain syndrome in athletic populations. The findings may contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving shoulder function and optimizing functional recovery in athletes with this condition.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needling + therapeutic exercise | Experimental | Procedure: Dry needling, Behavioral: Therapeutic ExerciseParticipants assigned to the experimental group will receive a combined intervention consisting of dry needling and a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program over a 3-week period. Dry needling will be applied to active myofascial trigger points in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with subacromial pain syndrome, including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, and anterior and middle deltoid muscles. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination based on the presence of a palpable taut band, a hypersensitive spot, reproduction of recognizable pain, and local twitch response. The intervention will be performed by a physiotherapist with more than 10 years of experience and certified training in dry needling, using a fast in-fast out technique with sterile disposable needles after skin disinfection with chlorhexidine. |
| Therapeutic exercise | Active comparator | Behavioral: Therapeutic ExerciseParticipants assigned to the control group will receive a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program over a 3-week period without dry needling intervention. The exercise program will focus on shoulder strengthening, neuromuscular control, and sensorimotor function using elastic resistance bands. Participants will perform the exercises three times per week for 3 weeks following a standardized protocol. All participants will receive individualized in-person instruction from a physiotherapist to ensure correct exercise execution. Participants will also receive the necessary exercise materials and an adherence diary to record compliance throughout the intervention period. The therapeutic exercise program will be identical to the experimental group in terms of exercise type, frequency, duration, supervision, and home-based format. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years.
- Clinical diagnosis of subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) according to the Dutch Orthopaedic Association criteria: presence of a painful arc and at least two positive tests among the following: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer sign, Jobe test, Drop Arm test, or Gerber test.
- Participation in sports involving predominant upper-limb activity between 2 and 4 hours per week.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Previous surgery involving the upper extremities.
- Diagnosis of specific shoulder pathologies other than SAPS at the time of the study.
- Receipt of medical or physiotherapy treatment within the month prior to the intervention.
- Needle phobia or refusal to receive dry needling treatment.
- Presence of vestibular disorders, balance impairments, or vascular alterations that could interfere with study measurements.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needlingDry needling will be applied to active myofascial trigger points identified in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with subacromial pain syndrome, including supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, and anterior and middle deltoid muscles. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination. The intervention will be performed by an experienced physiotherapist using sterile disposable needles and a standardized fast in-fast out technique. Participants will receive two dry needling sessions separated by a 10-day interval. | Procedure or surgery | Dry needling + therapeutic exercise |
| Therapeutic ExerciseParticipants will perform a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program focused on shoulder strengthening, neuromuscular control, and sensorimotor function using elastic resistance bands. The exercise program will be performed three times per week for 3 weeks following a standardized protocol. Participants will receive individualized instruction, exercise materials, and adherence monitoring throughout the intervention period. | Behavioural | Dry needling + therapeutic exercise, Therapeutic exercise |
Primary outcome
Shoulder Proprioception Assessed With the Joint Position Sense Test
Time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Shoulder proprioception will be evaluated using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test. Participants will actively reproduce a predefined shoulder position (abduction at 60°), and the absolute angular repositioning error in degrees will be recorded using an inclinometer. Scores range from 0 degrees (perfect repositioning) to no defined upper limit, with lower values indicating better proprioceptive accuracy.
4 secondary outcomes
Dynamic Shoulder Stability Assessed With the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Isometric Shoulder Strength Assessed With Handheld Dynamometry
Time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Pain Intensity Assessed With the Numeric Rating Scale
Time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
Upper Limb Disability Assessed With the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session
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 5 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 36769852Chys M, De Meulemeester K, De Greef I, Murillo C, Kindt W, Kouzouz Y, Lescroart B, Cagnie B. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain-An Umbrella Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):1205. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031205.
- Background: PubMed 27720812Arias-Buria JL, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Palacios-Cena M, Koppenhaver SL, Salom-Moreno J. Exercises and Dry Needling for Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial. J Pain. 2017 Jan;18(1):11-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.08.013. Epub 2016 Oct 5.
- Background: PubMed 26064172Salom-Moreno J, Ayuso-Casado B, Tamaral-Costa B, Sanchez-Mila Z, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Alburquerque-Sendin F. Trigger Point Dry Needling and Proprioceptive Exercises for the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:790209. doi: 10.1155/2015/790209. Epub 2015 Apr 30.
- Background: PubMed 36143925Gliga AC, Neagu NE, Voidazan S, Popoviciu HV, Bataga T. Effects of a Novel Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Device on Shoulder Joint Position Sense, Pain and Function. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 9;58(9):1248. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091248.
- Background: PubMed 31481340Ager AL, Borms D, Deschepper L, Dhooghe R, Dijkhuis J, Roy JS, Cools A. Proprioception: How is it affected by shoulder pain? A systematic review. J Hand Ther. 2020 Oct-Dec;33(4):507-516. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2019.06.002. Epub 2019 Aug 31.
- Background: PubMed 37370994Alfaya FF, Reddy RS, Alkhamis BA, Kandakurti PK, Mukherjee D. Shoulder Proprioception and Its Correlation with Pain Intensity and Functional Disability in Individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome-A Cross-Sectional Study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jun 17;13(12):2099. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13122099.
- Background: PubMed 35205109Blanco-Diaz M, Ruiz-Redondo R, Escobio-Prieto I, De la Fuente-Costa M, Albornoz-Cabello M, Casana J. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Subacromial Syndrome. Biology (Basel). 2022 Feb 4;11(2):243. doi: 10.3390/biology11020243.
- Background: PubMed 36078676Para-Garcia G, Garcia-Munoz AM, Lopez-Gil JF, Ruiz-Cardenas JD, Garcia-Guillen AI, Lopez-Roman FJ, Perez-Pinero S, Abellan-Ruiz MS, Canovas F, Victoria-Montesinos D. Dry Needling Alone or in Combination with Exercise Therapy versus Other Interventions for Reducing Pain and Disability in Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 2;19(17):10961. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710961.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical and data protection constraints under Spanish and European regulations (RGPD, Ley Orgánica 3/2018). Anonymized aggregate results will be made available through publication in peer-reviewed journals
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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.
Alejandro Sendín Magdalena, PT, MSc, PhD contact
Carlos A Villaron Casales, PT, MSc, PhD principal investigator
Universidad Europea de Valencia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry needling and Therapeutic Exercise in people with Subacromial Pain Syndrome, run by Universidad Europea de Valencia at 1 site in Spain.
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 3 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 5 Jun 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 Spain. 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?
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 Pablo Taberner Mortes, PT, MSc (+34 680869335, pablo.taberner@universidadeuropea.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Shoulder Proprioception Assessed With the Joint Position Sense Test (time frame: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session). 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 NCT07621016, 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 Jun 2026.