Rotator Cuff InjuriesNCT06070493
The Effects of Myofascial Release Technique
A study testing classic physiotherapy program and Myofascial release in people with Rotator Cuff Injuries, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study was planned to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- What is being tested?
- classic physiotherapy program and Myofascial release
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 29 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 19 Sep 2022to 1 Jun 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- The diagnosis of partial rotator cuff rupture
- Being between 18-65 years of age
Who cannot join
- Shoulder joint surgery
- Local steroid injection to the shoulder within the last 3 months
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the last 3 months
- Cervical discopathy
- Severe shoulder osteoarthritis
- Upper extremity fracture or tumor
Show all 10Show fewer
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder instability
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Neurological and mental problems
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Myofascial Release Technique in Patients With Rotator Cuff Injury: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
This study was planned to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury. The study included 29 individuals with partial rotator cuff injury who were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received a classical physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack and exercise, while the treatment group received the same classic physiotherapy program along with the myofascial release technique. All treatments were planned for 4 weeks and a total of 10 sessions. Proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility and muscle strength were assessed before and after the treatment.
Read the detailed description
Rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction in adults. It may cause muscle weakness, changes in glenohumeral kinematics, and instability in the shoulder internal and external rotator muscle groups and abductors. Patients may present a variety of symptoms, ranging from painless to severe shoulder pain and from normal function to severe dysfunction. It causes a decrease in the level of function in individuals, limitation in daily living activities, decreased quality of life and sleep problems. Various psychological factors, such as emotional or mental collapse and fear-avoidance behaviors, have been found to be associated with severe pain and disability in these patients. In response to emotional or physical injuries and traumas, fascia shortens, thickens, and stiffens. This situation causes pain and dysfunction. Conservative treatment is primarily preferred in the treatment of rotator cuff injury. In cases where there is no response to conservative treatment, surgery is used. Conservative treatment includes patient education, electrophysical agents, and exercise program. The exercise program includes scapular stabilization exercises, rotator cuff and shoulder area muscle strengthening exercises, range of motion exercises and stretching exercises. Additionally, the use of manual therapy techniques increases the effect of the treatment. Myofascial release technique, one of the manual therapy techniques, is a widely used therapy that involves low load and long-term mechanical forces to manipulate the myofascial complex, aiming to restore optimal length, reduce pain and improve function. With the myofascial release technique, proprioception is also increased. Considering the possible changes in the fascia, it is thought that the myofascial release technique may be useful in the conservative treatment program of individuals with rotator cuff injury. When the literature is examined, there is no study examining the effect of myofascial release technique on individuals with rotator cuff injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury.
- Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Being tested
- classic physiotherapy program, Myofascial release
- Keywords
- Myofascial Release Therapy, Proprioception, Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Lesions
- Medical subject headings
- Rotator Cuff Injuries, Shoulder Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
classic physiotherapy programOther
For individuals of control group, a hot pack was applied to the shoulder area for 15 minutes, while the individuals were in the sitting position. The conventional mode of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was used. Frequency was adjusted in the range of 50-100 Hz, and the amplitude intensity was adjusted between 10-30 milliampere with the intensity of mild tingling without causing any excessive discomfort or contractions. Electrodes were placed at the anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior of the shoulder region. In the exercise program of the patients, joint range of motion exercises, stretching, scapular stabilization, rotator cuff, and shoulder muscle strengthening exercises were given.
Myofascial releaseOther
myofascial release technique was applied to the patients in the treatment group besides the control group program. The technique was applied to the lateral neck and shoulder, pectoral region, scapulothoracic area, and arm regions for 5 minutes for optimum benefit.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Experimental | classical physiotherapy Receives: Other: classic physiotherapy program |
| Treatment group | Experimental | classical physiotherapy and myofascial release Receives: Other: classic physiotherapy program; Other: Myofascial release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Proprioception
Proprioception is the joint position sense. Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation proprioception were measured with a digital inclinometer. Deviations between the targeted angle and the angle performed by the patients were noted.
Measured: Baseline
Proprioception
Proprioception is the joint position sense. Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation proprioception were measured with a digital inclinometer. Deviations between the targeted angle and the angle performed by the patients were noted.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Pain severity
Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience. The severity of pain at rest and during activity was evaluated using visual analog scale. The starting point of the line indicated "no pain" and the end point "unbearable pain" using a 10 cm horizontal line.
Measured: Baseline
Pain severity
Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience. The severity of pain at rest and during activity was evaluated using visual analog scale. The starting point of the line indicated "no pain" and the end point "unbearable pain" using a 10 cm horizontal line.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Secondary outcomes (8)
Range of motion
Range of motion is the measurement of movement. Active shoulder flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation range of motion measurements were performed bilaterally with a universal goniometer in the supine position.
Measured: Baseline
Range of motion
Range of motion is the measurement of movement. Active shoulder flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation range of motion measurements were performed bilaterally with a universal goniometer in the supine position.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Functional level
Functional level was assessed by Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). SPADI consists of a total of 13 items, 5 of which determine the level of pain and 8 items that determine the level of disability.
Measured: Baseline
Functional level
Functional level was assessed by Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). SPADI consists of a total of 13 items, 5 of which determine the level of pain and 8 items that determine the level of disability.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Flexibility
The ability to move muscles and joints through a full normal range of motion. Flexibility of the internal and external rotator muscles of the shoulder was measured with the patient in the sitting position. The measurement was made by recording the distance between the middle fingers of both hands with a tape measure.
Measured: Baseline
Flexibility
The ability to move muscles and joints through a full normal range of motion. Flexibility of the internal and external rotator muscles of the shoulder was measured with the patient in the sitting position. The measurement was made by recording the distance between the middle fingers of both hands with a tape measure.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Muscle strength
Shoulder flexor, abductor, and internal and external rotator muscle strength were measured bilaterally using a digital hand dynamometer. Measurements were made with the patient in the sitting position. For all measurements, patients were asked to respond to the resistance for 3 seconds. All of the procedures were repeated 3 times and 1 minute rest was given between sets.
Measured: Baseline
Muscle strength
Shoulder flexor, abductor, and internal and external rotator muscle strength were measured bilaterally using a digital hand dynamometer. Measurements were made with the patient in the sitting position. For all measurements, patients were asked to respond to the resistance for 3 seconds. All of the procedures were repeated 3 times and 1 minute rest was given between sets.
Measured: After four weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Oct 2023
- Study start19 Sep 2022
- Primary completion15 May 2023
- Study completion1 Jun 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Rotator Cuff InjuriesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Gazi 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
- Model description
- The control group received a classical physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack and exercise, while the treatment group received the same classic physiotherapy program along with the myofascial release technique. All treatments were planned for 4 weeks and a total of 10 sessions.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tuğçe Çoban, Gazi University
- Investigators
- Zeynep Hazar, PhD, Principal investigator, Gazi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06070493
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-77082166-302.08.01-407339
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Sep 2023
- Last updated
- 15 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Nho SJ, Yadav H, Shindle MK, Macgillivray JD. Rotator cuff degeneration: etiology and pathogenesis. Am J Sports Med. 2008 May;36(5):987-93. doi: 10.1177/0363546508317344. Epub 2008 Apr 15.
PubMed 18413681Celik MS, Sonmezer E, Acar M. Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and myofascial release techniques in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Somatosens Mot Res. 2022 Jun-Dec;39(2-4):97-105. doi: 10.1080/08990220.2021.2018293. Epub 2022 Jan 7.
PubMed 34991428Gunes M, Yana M. Acute effects of thoracolumbar fascia release techniques on range of motion, proprioception, and muscular endurance in healthy young adults. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jul;35:145-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.063. Epub 2023 Apr 20.
PubMed 37330761
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Myofascial Release Technique in Patients With Rotator Cuff Injury: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06070493
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-77082166-302.08.01-407339
- Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Keywords
- Myofascial Release Therapy, Proprioception, Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Lesions
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Oct 2023 (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.
This study was planned to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury. The study included 29 individuals with partial rotator cuff injury who were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received a classical physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack and exercise, while the treatment group received the same classic physiotherapy program along with the myofascial release technique. All treatments were planned for 4 weeks and a total of 10 sessions. Proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility and muscle strength were assessed before and after the treatment.
Detailed description
Rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction in adults. It may cause muscle weakness, changes in glenohumeral kinematics, and instability in the shoulder internal and external rotator muscle groups and abductors. Patients may present a variety of symptoms, ranging from painless to severe shoulder pain and from normal function to severe dysfunction. It causes a decrease in the level of function in individuals, limitation in daily living activities, decreased quality of life and sleep problems. Various psychological factors, such as emotional or mental collapse and fear-avoidance behaviors, have been found to be associated with severe pain and disability in these patients. In response to emotional or physical injuries and traumas, fascia shortens, thickens, and stiffens. This situation causes pain and dysfunction. Conservative treatment is primarily preferred in the treatment of rotator cuff injury. In cases where there is no response to conservative treatment, surgery is used. Conservative treatment includes patient education, electrophysical agents, and exercise program. The exercise program includes scapular stabilization exercises, rotator cuff and shoulder area muscle strengthening exercises, range of motion exercises and stretching exercises. Additionally, the use of manual therapy techniques increases the effect of the treatment. Myofascial release technique, one of the manual therapy techniques, is a widely used therapy that involves low load and long-term mechanical forces to manipulate the myofascial complex, aiming to restore optimal length, reduce pain and improve function. With the myofascial release technique, proprioception is also increased. Considering the possible changes in the fascia, it is thought that the myofascial release technique may be useful in the conservative treatment program of individuals with rotator cuff injury. When the literature is examined, there is no study examining the effect of myofascial release technique on individuals with rotator cuff injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of myofascial release technique on proprioception, pain severity, shoulder range of motion, functional level, flexibility, and muscle strength in patients with rotator cuff injury.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The control group received a classical physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack and exercise, while the treatment group received the same classic physiotherapy program along with the myofascial release technique. All treatments were planned for 4 weeks and a total of 10 sessions.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Experimental | Other: classic physiotherapy programclassical physiotherapy |
| Treatment group | Experimental | Other: classic physiotherapy program, Other: Myofascial releaseclassical physiotherapy and myofascial release |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- The diagnosis of partial rotator cuff rupture
- Being between 18-65 years of age
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Shoulder joint surgery
- Local steroid injection to the shoulder within the last 3 months
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the last 3 months
- Cervical discopathy
- Severe shoulder osteoarthritis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| classic physiotherapy programFor individuals of control group, a hot pack was applied to the shoulder area for 15 minutes, while the individuals were in the sitting position. The conventional mode of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was used. Frequency was adjusted in the range of 50-100 Hz, and the amplitude intensity was adjusted between 10-30 milliampere with the intensity of mild tingling without causing any excessive discomfort or contractions. Electrodes were placed at the anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior of the shoulder region. In the exercise program of the patients, joint range of motion exercises, stretching, scapular stabilization, rotator cuff, and shoulder muscle strengthening exercises were given. | Other | Control group, Treatment group |
| Myofascial releasemyofascial release technique was applied to the patients in the treatment group besides the control group program. The technique was applied to the lateral neck and shoulder, pectoral region, scapulothoracic area, and arm regions for 5 minutes for optimum benefit. | Other | Treatment group |
Primary outcome
Proprioception
Time frame: Baseline
Proprioception is the joint position sense. Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation proprioception were measured with a digital inclinometer. Deviations between the targeted angle and the angle performed by the patients were noted.
Proprioception
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Proprioception is the joint position sense. Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation proprioception were measured with a digital inclinometer. Deviations between the targeted angle and the angle performed by the patients were noted.
Pain severity
Time frame: Baseline
Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience. The severity of pain at rest and during activity was evaluated using visual analog scale. The starting point of the line indicated "no pain" and the end point "unbearable pain" using a 10 cm horizontal line.
Pain severity
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience. The severity of pain at rest and during activity was evaluated using visual analog scale. The starting point of the line indicated "no pain" and the end point "unbearable pain" using a 10 cm horizontal line.
8 secondary outcomes
Range of motion
Time frame: Baseline
Range of motion
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Functional level
Time frame: Baseline
Functional level
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Flexibility
Time frame: Baseline
Flexibility
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline
Muscle strength
Time frame: After four weeks of treatment
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jun 2025.
- Background: PubMed 18413681Nho SJ, Yadav H, Shindle MK, Macgillivray JD. Rotator cuff degeneration: etiology and pathogenesis. Am J Sports Med. 2008 May;36(5):987-93. doi: 10.1177/0363546508317344. Epub 2008 Apr 15.
- Background: PubMed 34991428Celik MS, Sonmezer E, Acar M. Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and myofascial release techniques in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Somatosens Mot Res. 2022 Jun-Dec;39(2-4):97-105. doi: 10.1080/08990220.2021.2018293. Epub 2022 Jan 7.
- Background: PubMed 37330761Gunes M, Yana M. Acute effects of thoracolumbar fascia release techniques on range of motion, proprioception, and muscular endurance in healthy young adults. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jul;35:145-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.063. Epub 2023 Apr 20.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Rotator Cuff Injuries
Recruiting
Effects of Cervicothoracic Mobilization in Patients With Supraspinatus Tendinitis
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Active, not recruitingPhase 1
E-CEL UVEC Cells as an Adjunct Cell Therapy for the Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Adults
Rotator Cuff Tears, Muscle Atrophy or Weakness
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Natural History of Shoulder Pathology in Manual Wheelchair Users
Paraplegia, Spinal Cord Injuries
Not yet recruiting
Comparison of High-Intensity and Conventional Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Low Back Pain, Radicular Syndrome
Active, not recruiting
BioBrace® Implant for Arthroscopic Repair of Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator Cuff Tears
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Zeynep Hazar, PhD principal investigator
Gazi University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing classic physiotherapy program and Myofascial release in people with Rotator Cuff Injuries, run by Gazi 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 2 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jun 2025. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Proprioception (time frame: Baseline). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06070493, which also lists 3 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 15 Jun 2025.