Frozen ShoulderNCT07644884
Effects of Deltoid Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
A study testing Exercises and Standard Physical therapy in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by Riphah International University.
Trial summary
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a musculoskeletal condition that causes significant shoulder pain and restricted joint mobility. It affects the glenohumeral joint and is commonly seen in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 year. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Frozen Shoulder
- What is being tested?
- Exercises and Standard Physical therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 6 Jun 2026to 6 Nov 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 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- • Both male and female gender
- Subjects with age ranging from 40 to 60 years
- Subjects with stage II and III adhesive capsulitis
Who cannot join
- • Subjects with rotator cuff tears
- Subjects with glenohumeral arthritis
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Deltoid Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength and Disability in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a musculoskeletal condition that causes significant shoulder pain and restricted joint mobility. It affects the glenohumeral joint and is commonly seen in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 year. It affects 3 to 5% of the general population with a higher prevalence among females and patients with diabetes or thyroid disorders. Adhesive capsulitis progresses in four stages: painful, freezing, frozen, and thawing, and the condition may persist for 1 to 2 years. This study aims to determine the effects of Deltoid Strengthening Exercises on pain, range of motion, muscle strength and disability in patients with Adhesive Capsulitis.
Read the detailed description
This study will be a Randomized Controlled Trial and will be conducted in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital, Daska. Non-Probability Convenience Sampling will be used to collect the data. A sample of subjects aged 40 to 60 years with stage II and III adhesive capsulitis will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Outcome measures will include Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) for disability, Goniometer for Range of Motion, and Arm Abduction and Lowering Test for muscle strength. 48 subjects will be divided into two groups, 24 in each group by random number generator table. Both groups will receive a standard physical therapy protocol consisting of Ultrasound, Glenohumeral Mobilization and Home Exercises. In addition to standard physical therapy protocol, Group A will receive Deltoid Strengthening Exercises: Week 1: Isometric exercises (1×10 reps); Week 2 : Theraband exercises (1×10 reps); Week 3 - Dumbbell exercises with 1 kg (1×10 reps) and Week 4: Dumbbell exercises with 1.5 kg (1×10 reps), targeting anterior, middle, and posterior Deltoid. Group B will receive only the standard physiotherapy protocol without strengthening. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder
- Being tested
- Exercises, Standard Physical therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExercisesOther
- Deltoid Isometrics
The following isometrics of Deltoid will be performed:
- Anterior Deltoid: Front Raise Isometrics Isometrics of Anterior Deltoid will be performed. The arm is raised to 90 shoulder flexion. The elbows are slightly flexed (5 degrees) while the subject is pushing isometric upward against manual resistance provided by the therapist
- Middle Deltoid: Lateral Raise Isometrics The arm will be abducted to the horizontal position. The humerus is slightly flexed about thirty degrees while the elbows are kept in a static, slightly flexed position. The arms are lifted isometric upward against resistance provided by the therapist
- Posterior Deltoid: Reverse Fly Isometrics The participant sits on a chair with trunk bent from the horizontal with the arms pointing toward the floor. The arms are raised until the upper arms are horizontal, while the elbows were in a static, slightly flexed position. The subject pushes upward against resistance provided by the therapist
Standard Physical therapyOther
Ultrasound Glenohumeral Distraction Manual therapy Codman's Pendulum Exercise Finger Ladder exercise Wand Exercise
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Deltoid strengthening exercises | Experimental | Deltoid Strengthening Exercises:
* Deltoid Isometrics
* Dumb bell Strengthening Exercises
* Theraband Strengthening Exercises Receives: Other: Exercises |
| Standard Physical therapy | Active comparator | Ultrasound Glenohumeral Distraction Manual therapy Codman's Pendulum Exercise Finger Ladder exercise Wand Exercise Receives: Other: Standard Physical therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain-Numeric Pain Rating Scale
In current study, patients with Adhesive Capsulitis having Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of greater or equal to 3 and less than 7 will be included. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is used to measure pain levels in all subjects. NPRS is self-reported, single-dimensional 11 point scale between 0 and 10. The NPRS has a moderate test-retest reliability in patients with a primary complaint of shoulder pain with ICC=0.74, MCID of 1.1 points and MDC of 2.5 points.
Measured: upto 4 weeks
Disability-Shoulder Pain and Disability Index
Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis having Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score of 41 to 60 will be included in the current study. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is used for measuring the level of disability in patients. This self-administered index consists of 13 items divided into two subscales: 5 items for pain and 8 items for disability. It is a practical outcome measure that will be completed by patients in less than 5 min and will be scored by clinician. It has a high internal consistency with Cronbach α typically exceeding 0.90 and a good test-retest reliability with ICC values ranging from 0.84 to 0.95. When the SPADI is used more than once on the same subject i.e. at initial consultation and then at discharge, the minimal detectible change (MDC 95%) is 18 points
Measured: upto 4 weeks
Range of motion-Universal Goniometer
Adhesive capsulitis' patients have a capsular pattern of restriction of glenohumeral joint. Universal goniometer (UG) will be used to measure external rotation, internal rotation, abduction and flexion. Universal Goniometer is defined as a high-resolution plastic goniometer that permits observation of the axis of motion and ROM of the joint being measured. UG has been considered the gold standard for clinical assessment of ROM. It has a good reliability for AROM with ICC ranging from 0.53 to 0.65, and SEM calculated to be 14-25.
Measured: upto 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jun 2026
- Study start6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion6 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion6 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Frozen ShoulderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Noha Arshad, MSPT*, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07644884
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/25/0115 Noha
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Nakandala P, Nanayakkara I, Wadugodapitiya S, Gawarammana I. The efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(2):195-205. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200186.
PubMed 33185587Seher Z, Goher N, Hamid A, Latif U, Bukhari A, Rafique H, et al. Prevalence of adhesive capsulitis among diabetics and non-diabetics with shoulder pain in general population: prevalence of adhesive capsulitis. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences. 2023:67-71.
Rawat P, Eapen C, Seema KP. Effect of rotator cuff strengthening as an adjunct to standard care in subjects with adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial. J Hand Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;30(3):235-241.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2016.10.007. Epub 2016 Nov 21.
PubMed 27884497Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH. The Effectiveness of Ultrasound Deep Heat Therapy for Adhesive Capsulitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 7;19(3):1859. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031859.
PubMed 35162881Ramirez J. Adhesive Capsulitis: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Mar 1;99(5):297-300.
PubMed 30811157Heinecke ML, Thuesen ST, Stow RC. Graston technique on shoulder motion in overhead athletes. J Undergrad Kinesiol Res. 2014;10(1):27-39.
Mustafa Z, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Aslam F, Nasir A, Ahmad M, et al. Prevalence of adhesive capsulitis in non-diabetic participants within age 50-70 years in Multan. International Journal of Natural Medicine and Health Sciences. 2024;3(2):40-2.
Reinold MM, Macrina LC, Wilk KE, Fleisig GS, Dun S, Barrentine SW, Ellerbusch MT, Andrews JR. Electromyographic analysis of the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles during 3 common rehabilitation exercises. J Athl Train. 2007 Oct-Dec;42(4):464-9.
PubMed 18174934Moser T, Lecours J, Michaud J, Bureau NJ, Guillin R, Cardinal E. The deltoid, a forgotten muscle of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol. 2013 Oct;42(10):1361-75. doi: 10.1007/s00256-013-1667-7. Epub 2013 Jun 20.
PubMed 23784480
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Deltoid Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength and Disability in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07644884
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/25/0115 Noha
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 6 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 6 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 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.
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a musculoskeletal condition that causes significant shoulder pain and restricted joint mobility. It affects the glenohumeral joint and is commonly seen in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 year. It affects 3 to 5% of the general population with a higher prevalence among females and patients with diabetes or thyroid disorders. Adhesive capsulitis progresses in four stages: painful, freezing, frozen, and thawing, and the condition may persist for 1 to 2 years. This study aims to determine the effects of Deltoid Strengthening Exercises on pain, range of motion, muscle strength and disability in patients with Adhesive Capsulitis.
Detailed description
This study will be a Randomized Controlled Trial and will be conducted in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital, Daska. Non-Probability Convenience Sampling will be used to collect the data. A sample of subjects aged 40 to 60 years with stage II and III adhesive capsulitis will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Outcome measures will include Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) for disability, Goniometer for Range of Motion, and Arm Abduction and Lowering Test for muscle strength. 48 subjects will be divided into two groups, 24 in each group by random number generator table. Both groups will receive a standard physical therapy protocol consisting of Ultrasound, Glenohumeral Mobilization and Home Exercises. In addition to standard physical therapy protocol, Group A will receive Deltoid Strengthening Exercises: Week 1: Isometric exercises (1×10 reps); Week 2 : Theraband exercises (1×10 reps); Week 3 - Dumbbell exercises with 1 kg (1×10 reps) and Week 4: Dumbbell exercises with 1.5 kg (1×10 reps), targeting anterior, middle, and posterior Deltoid. Group B will receive only the standard physiotherapy protocol without strengthening. Outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Deltoid strengthening exercises | Experimental | Other: ExercisesDeltoid Strengthening Exercises: * Deltoid Isometrics * Dumb bell Strengthening Exercises * Theraband Strengthening Exercises |
| Standard Physical therapy | Active comparator | Other: Standard Physical therapyUltrasound Glenohumeral Distraction Manual therapy Codman's Pendulum Exercise Finger Ladder exercise Wand Exercise |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- • Both male and female gender
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- • Subjects with rotator cuff tears
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exercisesa) Deltoid Isometrics The following isometrics of Deltoid will be performed: * Anterior Deltoid: Front Raise Isometrics Isometrics of Anterior Deltoid will be performed. The arm is raised to 90 shoulder flexion. The elbows are slightly flexed (5 degrees) while the subject is pushing isometric upward against manual resistance provided by the therapist * Middle Deltoid: Lateral Raise Isometrics The arm will be abducted to the horizontal position. The humerus is slightly flexed about thirty degrees while the elbows are kept in a static, slightly flexed position. The arms are lifted isometric upward against resistance provided by the therapist * Posterior Deltoid: Reverse Fly Isometrics The participant sits on a chair with trunk bent from the horizontal with the arms pointing toward the floor. The arms are raised until the upper arms are horizontal, while the elbows were in a static, slightly flexed position. The subject pushes upward against resistance provided by the therapist | Other | Deltoid strengthening exercises |
| Standard Physical therapyUltrasound Glenohumeral Distraction Manual therapy Codman's Pendulum Exercise Finger Ladder exercise Wand Exercise | Other | Standard Physical therapy |
Primary outcome
Pain-Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: upto 4 weeks
In current study, patients with Adhesive Capsulitis having Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of greater or equal to 3 and less than 7 will be included. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is used to measure pain levels in all subjects. NPRS is self-reported, single-dimensional 11 point scale between 0 and 10. The NPRS has a moderate test-retest reliability in patients with a primary complaint of shoulder pain with ICC=0.74, MCID of 1.1 points and MDC of 2.5 points.
Disability-Shoulder Pain and Disability Index
Time frame: upto 4 weeks
Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis having Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score of 41 to 60 will be included in the current study. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is used for measuring the level of disability in patients. This self-administered index consists of 13 items divided into two subscales: 5 items for pain and 8 items for disability. It is a practical outcome measure that will be completed by patients in less than 5 min and will be scored by clinician. It has a high internal consistency with Cronbach α typically exceeding 0.90 and a good test-retest reliability with ICC values ranging from 0.84 to 0.95. When the SPADI is used more than once on the same subject i.e. at initial consultation and then at discharge, the minimal detectible change (MDC 95%) is 18 points
Range of motion-Universal Goniometer
Time frame: upto 4 weeks
Adhesive capsulitis' patients have a capsular pattern of restriction of glenohumeral joint. Universal goniometer (UG) will be used to measure external rotation, internal rotation, abduction and flexion. Universal Goniometer is defined as a high-resolution plastic goniometer that permits observation of the axis of motion and ROM of the joint being measured. UG has been considered the gold standard for clinical assessment of ROM. It has a good reliability for AROM with ICC ranging from 0.53 to 0.65, and SEM calculated to be 14-25.
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 12 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 33185587Nakandala P, Nanayakkara I, Wadugodapitiya S, Gawarammana I. The efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(2):195-205. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200186.
- BackgroundSeher Z, Goher N, Hamid A, Latif U, Bukhari A, Rafique H, et al. Prevalence of adhesive capsulitis among diabetics and non-diabetics with shoulder pain in general population: prevalence of adhesive capsulitis. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences. 2023:67-71.
- Background: PubMed 27884497Rawat P, Eapen C, Seema KP. Effect of rotator cuff strengthening as an adjunct to standard care in subjects with adhesive capsulitis: A randomized controlled trial. J Hand Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;30(3):235-241.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2016.10.007. Epub 2016 Nov 21.
- Background: PubMed 35162881Sung JH, Lee JM, Kim JH. The Effectiveness of Ultrasound Deep Heat Therapy for Adhesive Capsulitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 7;19(3):1859. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031859.
- Background: PubMed 30811157Ramirez J. Adhesive Capsulitis: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Mar 1;99(5):297-300.
- BackgroundHeinecke ML, Thuesen ST, Stow RC. Graston technique on shoulder motion in overhead athletes. J Undergrad Kinesiol Res. 2014;10(1):27-39.
- BackgroundMustafa Z, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Aslam F, Nasir A, Ahmad M, et al. Prevalence of adhesive capsulitis in non-diabetic participants within age 50-70 years in Multan. International Journal of Natural Medicine and Health Sciences. 2024;3(2):40-2.
- Background: PubMed 18174934Reinold MM, Macrina LC, Wilk KE, Fleisig GS, Dun S, Barrentine SW, Ellerbusch MT, Andrews JR. Electromyographic analysis of the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles during 3 common rehabilitation exercises. J Athl Train. 2007 Oct-Dec;42(4):464-9.
- Background: PubMed 23784480Moser T, Lecours J, Michaud J, Bureau NJ, Guillin R, Cardinal E. The deltoid, a forgotten muscle of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol. 2013 Oct;42(10):1361-75. doi: 10.1007/s00256-013-1667-7. Epub 2013 Jun 20.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Noha Arshad, MSPT* principal investigator
Riphah International University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercises and Standard Physical therapy in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by Riphah International University.
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 2 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 12 Jun 2026. 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 Sumrod Akram (03324806143, samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain-Numeric Pain Rating Scale (time frame: upto 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 NCT07644884, which also lists 9 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 12 Jun 2026.