Frozen ShoulderNCT07905417
Effects of Posterior Capsular Stretching With and Without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises in Frozen Shoulder
A study testing Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and Posterior Capsular Stretching in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by University of Management and Technology Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of posterior capsular stretching with and without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, shoulder internal rotation deficit, disability, and axillary pouch capsule thickness in patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). 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?
- Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and Posterior Capsular Stretching
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 23 Oct 2026to 31 Dec 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 Aged between 40 and 60 years. Diagnosed with FS in the frozen stage (stage 2 and 3) with symptoms persisting for more than three months.
- Shoulder pain with NPRS score of 3 to ≤7. Positive glenohumeral Capsular Pattern . No participation in regular structured physical activity programs, physical therapy, or sports activities involving intensive upper-limb use within the past six months.
Who cannot join
- History of surgery involving the upper extremity or trunk within the past year. Presence of acute trauma, inflammation, or other medical conditions affecting the shoulder or upper limb.
- Presence of diagnosed cardiovascular, neurological, or psychiatric disorders, contraindicating moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Pregnancy at the time of enrollment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Posterior Capsular Stretching With and Without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Internal Rotation Deficit, Disability and Axillary Pouch Capsule Thickness in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis.
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of posterior capsular stretching with and without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, shoulder internal rotation deficit, disability, and axillary pouch capsule thickness in patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does adding DNS exercises to posterior capsular stretching improve pain and shoulder internal rotation compared with posterior capsular stretching alone?
- Does adding DNS exercises improve shoulder-related disability and reduce axillary pouch capsule thickness compared with posterior capsular stretching alone?
Researchers will compare two groups to determine whether combining DNS exercises with posterior capsular stretching produces greater improvements than posterior capsular stretching alone.
Participants will:
- Receive posterior capsular stretching, either alone or combined with DNS exercises, according to their assigned study group.
- Undergo assessments of pain, shoulder internal rotation, and disability.
- Undergo assessment of axillary pouch capsule thickness using diagnostic imaging.
- Complete the study assessments at the time points specified in the trial protocol.
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder
- Being tested
- Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Posterior Capsular Stretching
- Keywords
- Posterior Capsular Stretching, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Axillary Pouch Capsule Thickness
- Medical subject headings
- Bursitis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular StabilizationOther
Group A will receive posterior capsular stretching with DNS exercises 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks.
Posterior Capsular StretchingOther
Group B will receive posterior capsular stretching 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises | Experimental | Group A will receive posterior capsular stretching with DNS exercises 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. Receives: Other: Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization |
| Posterior Capsular Stretching | Active comparator | Group B will receive posterior capsular stretching 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. Receives: Other: Posterior Capsular Stretching |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS)
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) is most frequently used instruments to measure pain intensity in low back pain (LBP).The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs)
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND (AXILLARY POUCH CAPSULE THICKNESS MEASUREMENT)
Musculoskeletal ultrasound has emerged as a valuable imaging modality due to its affordability, portability, absence of ionizing radiation, and capacity for dynamic, real-time assessment at the point of care. The Axillary pouch capsule is the inferior part of the glenohumeral capsule located between the anterior and posterior bands of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) The presence of AP thickening will be carefully investigated using the axillary approach and its maximum thickness will be measured with the arm abducted 70 -90 in neutral rotation. The long axis of the transducer will be applied on the axilla along the long axis of the humeral head/neck, then anterior and posterior sliding of the transducer will be done to pick up the maximal obtainable thickening. The axillary pouch thickness will be measured from the humeral neck cortex to the outer margin of the capsule. A high-frequency linear array transducer (7.5-14 MHz) will be used for musculoskeletal assessment. It will
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
SHOULDER PAIN AND DISABILITY INDEX (SPADI)
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is a self-administered questionnaire that consists of two dimensions: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Each item is scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain/no difficulty and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain/so difficult requires help. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain and disability. The SPADI has been shown to have good reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with shoulder disorders including adhesive capsulitis
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
INTERNAL ROTATION DEFICIT MESAUREMENT
GIRD defined by a loss of >20° of IR compared to the contralateral shoulder(23) A difference of 20° or more when compared to the contralateral side is generally considered diagnostic of GIRD.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Oct 2026
- Study start23 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Frozen ShoulderStudies 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
- Model description
- The goal of this \*\*clinical trial\*\* is to determine the effects of posterior capsular stretching with and without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, shoulder internal rotation deficit, disability, and axillary pouch capsule thickness in patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does adding DNS exercises to posterior capsular stretching improve pain and shoulder internal rotation compared with posterior capsular stretching alone? * Does adding DNS exercises improve shoulder-related disability and reduce axillary pouch capsule thickness compared with posterior capsular stretching alone? Researchers will compare two groups to determine whether combining DNS exercises with posterior capsular stretching produces greater improvements than posterior capsular stretching alone. Participants will: \- Receive posterior capsular stretching, either alone or combined with DNS exercises, according to their assigned st
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Management and Technology Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sidra Ali, University of Management and Technology Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07905417
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RE-187-2026
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Posterior Capsular Stretching With and Without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Internal Rotation Deficit, Disability and Axillary Pouch Capsule Thickness in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07905417
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RE-187-2026
- Conditions
- Frozen Shoulder
- Keywords
- Posterior Capsular Stretching, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Axillary Pouch Capsule Thickness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Management and Technology LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Oct 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 determine the effects of posterior capsular stretching with and without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, shoulder internal rotation deficit, disability, and axillary pouch capsule thickness in patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does adding DNS exercises to posterior capsular stretching improve pain and shoulder internal rotation compared with posterior capsular stretching alone?
- Does adding DNS exercises improve shoulder-related disability and reduce axillary pouch capsule thickness compared with posterior capsular stretching alone?
Researchers will compare two groups to determine whether combining DNS exercises with posterior capsular stretching produces greater improvements than posterior capsular stretching alone.
Participants will:
- Receive posterior capsular stretching, either alone or combined with DNS exercises, according to their assigned study group.
- Undergo assessments of pain, shoulder internal rotation, and disability.
- Undergo assessment of axillary pouch capsule thickness using diagnostic imaging.
- Complete the study assessments at the time points specified in the trial protocol.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of posterior capsular stretching with and without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises on pain, shoulder internal rotation deficit, disability, and axillary pouch capsule thickness in patients with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does adding DNS exercises to posterior capsular stretching improve pain and shoulder internal rotation compared with posterior capsular stretching alone? * Does adding DNS exercises improve shoulder-related disability and reduce axillary pouch capsule thickness compared with posterior capsular stretching alone? Researchers will compare two groups to determine whether combining DNS exercises with posterior capsular stretching produces greater improvements than posterior capsular stretching alone. Participants will: - Receive posterior capsular stretching, either alone or combined with DNS exercises, according to their assigned st
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises | Experimental | Other: Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular StabilizationGroup A will receive posterior capsular stretching with DNS exercises 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. |
| Posterior Capsular Stretching | Active comparator | Other: Posterior Capsular StretchingGroup B will receive posterior capsular stretching 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Both male and female Aged between 40 and 60 years. Diagnosed with FS in the frozen stage (stage 2 and 3) with symptoms persisting for more than three months.
- Shoulder pain with NPRS score of 3 to ≤7. Positive glenohumeral Capsular Pattern . No participation in regular structured physical activity programs, physical therapy, or sports activities involving intensive upper-limb use within the past six months.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- History of surgery involving the upper extremity or trunk within the past year. Presence of acute trauma, inflammation, or other medical conditions affecting the shoulder or upper limb.
- Presence of diagnosed cardiovascular, neurological, or psychiatric disorders, contraindicating moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Pregnancy at the time of enrollment.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular StabilizationGroup A will receive posterior capsular stretching with DNS exercises 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. | Other | Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises |
| Posterior Capsular StretchingGroup B will receive posterior capsular stretching 4 sessions per week on alternate days for 6 weeks. | Other | Posterior Capsular Stretching |
Primary outcome
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) is most frequently used instruments to measure pain intensity in low back pain (LBP).The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1-3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs)
MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND (AXILLARY POUCH CAPSULE THICKNESS MEASUREMENT)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Musculoskeletal ultrasound has emerged as a valuable imaging modality due to its affordability, portability, absence of ionizing radiation, and capacity for dynamic, real-time assessment at the point of care. The Axillary pouch capsule is the inferior part of the glenohumeral capsule located between the anterior and posterior bands of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) The presence of AP thickening will be carefully investigated using the axillary approach and its maximum thickness will be measured with the arm abducted 70 -90 in neutral rotation. The long axis of the transducer will be applied on the axilla along the long axis of the humeral head/neck, then anterior and posterior sliding of the transducer will be done to pick up the maximal obtainable thickening. The axillary pouch thickness will be measured from the humeral neck cortex to the outer margin of the capsule. A high-frequency linear array transducer (7.5-14 MHz) will be used for musculoskeletal assessment. It will
SHOULDER PAIN AND DISABILITY INDEX (SPADI)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is a self-administered questionnaire that consists of two dimensions: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Each item is scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain/no difficulty and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain/so difficult requires help. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain and disability. The SPADI has been shown to have good reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with shoulder disorders including adhesive capsulitis
INTERNAL ROTATION DEFICIT MESAUREMENT
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
GIRD defined by a loss of >20° of IR compared to the contralateral shoulder(23) A difference of 20° or more when compared to the contralateral side is generally considered diagnostic of GIRD.
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 29 Oct 2026.
- Which method for frozen shoulder mobilization: manual posterior capsule stretching or scapular mobilization?Link provided by the sponsor.
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization for Midlife Women with Frozen Shoulder: Clinical Effects on COP and PainLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Posterior Capsular Stretching with Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and Posterior Capsular Stretching in people with Frozen Shoulder, run by University of Management and Technology Lahore 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 2 inclusion and 3 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 29 Oct 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?
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?
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?
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 29 Oct 2026.