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Frozen ShoulderNCT07667556

The Combined Effect of Mulligan Mobilization, Pain Neuroscience-Based Training, and Core Stabilization Exercises in Frozen Shoulder Patients

A study testing Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM) and Core Stabilization Exercises in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by Yeditepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of a combined rehabilitation program consisting of Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MWM), Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), and core stabilization exercises in individuals with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Frozen Shoulder
What is being tested?
Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM) and Core Stabilization Exercises
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
21 Apr 2026to Jan 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 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years
  • Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician
  • Presence of shoulder pain and limitation of shoulder range of motion
  • Ability to communicate verbally
  • Ability to understand study procedures and educational content
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher
  • Ability to attend treatment and assessment sessions regularly

Who cannot join

  • MMSE score below 24
  • Severe cognitive impairment
  • Severe psychiatric disorders
  • Active infectious disease
  • Active malignancy
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
  • Contraindications to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Neurological disorders that may affect participation or outcomes
  • Systemic diseases that may interfere with the safe implementation of the intervention
  • Inability to comply with the study protocol or attend scheduled sessions

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Life Med Tıp Merkezi

    Istanbul

    Murat Gökhan Döner, +90 532 342 98 15, fztgokhandoner@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of a combined rehabilitation program consisting of Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MWM), Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), and core stabilization exercises in individuals with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Read more

Does the combination of Mulligan mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and core stabilization exercises reduce pain in individuals with adhesive capsulitis? Does this combined intervention improve shoulder range of motion, shoulder function, quality of life, scapular dyskinesis, and pain catastrophizing compared with conventional physical therapy?

Participants diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive Mulligan mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and core stabilization exercises, while the control group will receive conventional physical therapy, including TENS, hot-pack application, passive joint mobilization, and stretching exercises. Both groups will participate in treatment sessions three times per week for six weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the 6-week intervention period.

Read the detailed description

Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by shoulder pain, progressive restriction of active and passive range of motion, and functional disability. The condition negatively affects activities of daily living and quality of life and is most frequently observed in individuals between 40 and 65 years of age. Despite the widespread use of conventional physiotherapy interventions, optimal treatment strategies remain under investigation.

Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MWM) is a manual therapy technique that combines sustained accessory joint glides with active pain-free movement. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of Mulligan mobilization on pain reduction and functional improvement in individuals with adhesive capsulitis. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is an educational approach designed to improve patients' understanding of pain mechanisms and reduce maladaptive beliefs related to pain. Core stabilization exercises, particularly those based on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) principles, aim to improve postural control, neuromuscular coordination, and movement efficiency.

Although the effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization has been investigated in patients with adhesive capsulitis, there is limited evidence regarding the use of Pain Neuroscience Education in this population, and the effects of DNS-based core stabilization exercises have not been adequately studied. Furthermore, no previous study has examined the combined effects of Mulligan mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and core stabilization exercises in individuals with adhesive capsulitis.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the short-term effects of a combined intervention consisting of Mulligan mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and core stabilization exercises on pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, shoulder function, pain catastrophizing, scapular dyskinesis, core stability, and health-related quality of life in individuals with adhesive capsulitis.

Participants diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive Mulligan mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and DNS-based core stabilization exercises. The control group will receive conventional physical therapy consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), hot-pack application, passive joint mobilization, and stretching exercises. Both groups will participate in treatment sessions three times per week for six weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

The findings of this study may contribute to the development of a more comprehensive rehabilitation approach for individuals with adhesive capsulitis and provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of combining manual therapy, pain education, and core stabilization strategies in clinical practice.

Conditions
Frozen Shoulder
Being tested
Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM), Core Stabilization Exercises, Conventional 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.

  • Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)Behavioural

    Participants will receive Pain Neuroscience Education focused on the biopsychosocial nature of pain, central sensitization, the distinction between pain and tissue damage, and strategies to reduce fear of movement. The initial educational session will last approximately 15-20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minute reinforcement sessions throughout the intervention period. Education will be delivered through verbal explanations and interactive discussion.

  • Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM)Procedure or surgery

    Participants will receive Mulligan Mobilization with Movement techniques applied to the glenohumeral joint, including posterolateral glide with active abduction, inferior glide with shoulder flexion, and posterior glide with internal rotation. Mobilizations will be performed within a pain-free range of motion. Each technique will be administered in 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30 seconds of rest between sets. Treatment will be provided three times per week for six weeks

  • Core Stabilization ExercisesBehavioural

    Participants will perform Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)-based core stabilization exercises. The program will include diaphragmatic breathing, supine 90/90 positioning, abdominal bracing, and progression to dead bug, bird-dog, and modified plank exercises as tolerated. Exercises will be performed in 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with 10-20 second isometric holds. Progression will occur from stable to unstable surfaces and from static to dynamic activities

  • Conventional Physical TherapyOther

    Participants in the control group will receive conventional physical therapy consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied at a sensory level for 20 minutes, hot-pack application for 20 minutes, passive shoulder joint mobilization exercises, pendulum exercises, and wand exercises. Treatment sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks.

Study groups in NCT07667556
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental - Combined Treatment GroupExperimentalMulligan Mobilization + Pain Neuroscience Education + Core Stabilization Exercises
Receives: Behavioral: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE); Procedure: Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM); Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises
Active Comparator - Conventional Physical Therapy GroupActive comparatorConventional Physical Therapy (TENS + hot-pack + ROM Exercises + Stretching Exercises)
Receives: Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

What is being measured

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

  1. Pain Intensity

    Pain intensity during movement will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

  2. Shoulder Function

    Shoulder pain, function, and patient satisfaction will be evaluated using the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS). Higher scores indicate better shoulder function.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

  3. Shoulder Range of Motion

    Active shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation range of motion will be measured using a goniometer.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Pain Catastrophizing

    Pain-related catastrophic thinking will be assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Higher scores indicate greater pain catastrophizing.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

  2. Core Stability

    Core stability and neuromuscular control will be assessed using the Sahrmann Core Stability Test.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

  3. Change in Scapular Dyskinesis

    Scapular movement patterns and dyskinesis will be evaluated using the Scapular Dyskinesis Test.

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

  4. Change in Health-Related Quality of Life

    Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).

    Measured: Baseline and week 6

Timeline

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

  1. First posted25 Jun 2026
  2. Study start21 Apr 2026
  3. Primary completionJan 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)

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
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
36 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07667556
Sponsor's protocol ID
Dilay Döner
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
19 Jun 2026
Last updated
4 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Sullivan MJL, Bishop SR, Pivik J. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale: Development and validation. Psychological Assessment. 1995;7(4):524-532.

  • Leggin BG, Michener LA, Shaffer MA, Brenneman SK, Iannotti JP, Williams GR Jr. The Penn shoulder score: reliability and validity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006 Mar;36(3):138-51. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2006.36.3.138.

    PubMed 16596890
  • Razzaq A, Nadeem RD, Akhtar M, Ghazanfar M, Aslam N, Nawaz S. Comparing the effects of muscle energy technique and mulligan mobilization with movements on pain, range of motion, and disability in adhesive capsulitis. J Pak Med Assoc. 2022 Jan;72(1):13-16. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.1360.

    PubMed 35099430
  • Doner G, Guven Z, Atalay A, Celiker R. Evalution of Mulligan's technique for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. J Rehabil Med. 2013 Jan;45(1):87-91. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1064.

    PubMed 23037929

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), Mulligan Mobilization With Movement (MWM) and Core Stabilization Exercises in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by Yeditepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 8 inclusion and 11 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Aug 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Dilay Döner (+90 0535 019 58 83, dilay.doner@std.yeditepe.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline and week 6). 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 NCT07667556, which also lists 4 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 4 Aug 2026.

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