ShoulderNCT06447493
Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function
A study testing Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified) and Rest in people with Shoulder, run by Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Shoulder
- What is being tested?
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified) and Rest
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2023to 11 May 2026
- 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 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- male and female subjects 18-50 years old
Who cannot join
- prior shoulder surgery or injury to the reported dominant throwing arm
- shoulder pain in the reported dominant throwing arm within the last 6 months
- diagnosis cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck
- connective tissue or muscle disorders
- known pregnancy
- tobacco use
- known diabetes or prediabetes
- allergy to ultrasound gel (propylene glycol)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn
Auburn, Alabama, 36832
About this study
Official title: Exploring the Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function: A Pilot Study
The purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. There are studies that look at the clinical effects of the technique and/or compare it to other techniques; however, measuring the extent to which Spencer's technique, or this modified technique, improves tissue stiffness and blood flow has never been written in the literature. This study will serve as a proof of concept that this technique improves tissue stiffness, blood flow, and mobility of the shoulder join as well as the nearby areas. Using ultrasound, the investigators will measure tissue stiffness and blood flow and will analyze the mobility of the shoulder joint using a Vicon motion capture system.
- Conditions
- Shoulder
- Being tested
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified), Rest
- Keywords
- Osteopathic Physicians, Shoulder, Diagnostic Imaging, Motion Capture, Range of Motion, Articular, Blood Circulation, Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)Other
Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.
RestOther
10 minute rest period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| OMT Intervention, then Rest | Experimental | 10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the dominant shoulder, apply OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on non-dominant shoulder, a rest that is equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the non-dominant shoulder. Receives: Other: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified); Other: Rest |
| Rest, then OMT Intervention | Experimental | 10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the non-dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the non-dominant shoulder, a rest period equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on non-dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on dominant shoulder, provide OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the dominant shoulder. Receives: Other: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified); Other: Rest |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Muscle Stiffness
Using Shear Wave Elastography to measure muscle stiffness (kPa) of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.
Measured: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Shoulder Mobility
Using Vicon motion capture system to calculate landmark coordinates and using morphometric canonical variate analysis to analyze mobility changes.
Measured: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Microvascular/capillary blood flow
Using ultrasound to capture blood flow of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.
Measured: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Subjective Shoulder Stiffness (Visual Analogue Scale)
Using Visual Analogue scale to measure participant's subjective measure of shoulder stiffness. Scores range from 0 to 10, with 0 being "Not stiff at all" and 10 being "Very stiff."
Measured: Day 1 Pre, Day 2
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jun 2024
- Study start15 Aug 2023
- Primary completion11 May 2026
- Study completion11 May 2026
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 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
- Crossover
- Model description
- Two by Two cross-over trial. Measurements will be taken on both shoulders with only the dominant shoulder receiving osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The order in which the measurements and OMT treatment is performed will be randomized. The cross-over design allows for the opportunity to estimate 3 components, the possible effect of ultrasound measurement on the outcomes even when OMT is not performed, the combined effect of OMT and ultrasound measurements on outcomes, and an adjusted estimate OMT treatment effect removing any ultrasound effects if those effects exist. Change scores for all outcomes will be calculated per shoulder and then a comparison between change scores will be conducted using a paired design.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Daniel Cawley, Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06447493
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023-061
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Jun 2024
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Knebl JA, Shores JH, Gamber RG, Gray WT, Herron KM. Improving functional ability in the elderly via the Spencer technique, an osteopathic manipulative treatment: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2002 Jul;102(7):387-96.
PubMed 12138953Iqbal M, Riaz H, Ghous M, Masood K. Comparison of Spencer muscle energy technique and Passive stretching in adhesive capsulitis: A single blind randomized control trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 Dec;70(12(A)):2113-2118. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.23971.
PubMed 33475581Haveela, B., Praveen Dowle, and P. Chandrasekhar.
Yamaguchi K, Sher JS, Andersen WK, Garretson R, Uribe JW, Hechtman K, Neviaser RJ. Glenohumeral motion in patients with rotator cuff tears: a comparison of asymptomatic and symptomatic shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2000 Jan-Feb;9(1):6-11. doi: 10.1016/s1058-2746(00)90002-8.
PubMed 10717855Kunz P, Mick P, Gross S, Schmidmaier G, Zeifang F, Weber MA, Fischer C. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) as Predictor for Early Retear and Functional Outcome After Supraspinatus Tendon Repair. J Orthop Res. 2020 May;38(5):1150-1158. doi: 10.1002/jor.24535. Epub 2019 Dec 2.
PubMed 31769543Matava MJ, Purcell DB, Rudzki JR. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Am J Sports Med. 2005 Sep;33(9):1405-17. doi: 10.1177/0363546505280213.
PubMed 16127127Lawrence RL, Moutzouros V, Bey MJ. Asymptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears. JBJS Rev. 2019 Jun;7(6):e9. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.18.00149.
PubMed 31246863Coren S. Measurement of handedness via self-report: the relationship between brief and extended inventories. Percept Mot Skills. 1993 Jun;76(3 Pt 1):1035-42. doi: 10.2466/pms.1993.76.3.1035.
PubMed 8321574
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exploring the Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function: A Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06447493
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023-061
- Conditions
- Shoulder
- Keywords
- Osteopathic Physicians, Shoulder, Diagnostic Imaging, Motion Capture, Range of Motion, Articular, Blood Circulation, Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Jun 2024 (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 purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. There are studies that look at the clinical effects of the technique and/or compare it to other techniques; however, measuring the extent to which Spencer's technique, or this modified technique, improves tissue stiffness and blood flow has never been written in the literature. This study will serve as a proof of concept that this technique improves tissue stiffness, blood flow, and mobility of the shoulder join as well as the nearby areas. Using ultrasound, the investigators will measure tissue stiffness and blood flow and will analyze the mobility of the shoulder joint using a Vicon motion capture system.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Two by Two cross-over trial. Measurements will be taken on both shoulders with only the dominant shoulder receiving osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The order in which the measurements and OMT treatment is performed will be randomized. The cross-over design allows for the opportunity to estimate 3 components, the possible effect of ultrasound measurement on the outcomes even when OMT is not performed, the combined effect of OMT and ultrasound measurements on outcomes, and an adjusted estimate OMT treatment effect removing any ultrasound effects if those effects exist. Change scores for all outcomes will be calculated per shoulder and then a comparison between change scores will be conducted using a paired design.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| OMT Intervention, then Rest | Experimental | Other: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified), Other: Rest10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the dominant shoulder, apply OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on non-dominant shoulder, a rest that is equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the non-dominant shoulder. |
| Rest, then OMT Intervention | Experimental | Other: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified), Other: Rest10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the non-dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the non-dominant shoulder, a rest period equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on non-dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on dominant shoulder, provide OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the dominant shoulder. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- male and female subjects 18-50 years old
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- prior shoulder surgery or injury to the reported dominant throwing arm
- shoulder pain in the reported dominant throwing arm within the last 6 months
- diagnosis cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck
- connective tissue or muscle disorders
- known pregnancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD. | Other | OMT Intervention, then Rest, Rest, then OMT Intervention |
| Rest10 minute rest period. | Other | OMT Intervention, then Rest, Rest, then OMT Intervention |
Primary outcome
Muscle Stiffness
Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Using Shear Wave Elastography to measure muscle stiffness (kPa) of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.
Shoulder Mobility
Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Using Vicon motion capture system to calculate landmark coordinates and using morphometric canonical variate analysis to analyze mobility changes.
Microvascular/capillary blood flow
Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2
Using ultrasound to capture blood flow of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.
Subjective Shoulder Stiffness (Visual Analogue Scale)
Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 2
Using Visual Analogue scale to measure participant's subjective measure of shoulder stiffness. Scores range from 0 to 10, with 0 being "Not stiff at all" and 10 being "Very stiff."
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 13 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 12138953Knebl JA, Shores JH, Gamber RG, Gray WT, Herron KM. Improving functional ability in the elderly via the Spencer technique, an osteopathic manipulative treatment: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2002 Jul;102(7):387-96.
- Background: PubMed 33475581Iqbal M, Riaz H, Ghous M, Masood K. Comparison of Spencer muscle energy technique and Passive stretching in adhesive capsulitis: A single blind randomized control trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 Dec;70(12(A)):2113-2118. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.23971.
- BackgroundHaveela, B., Praveen Dowle, and P. Chandrasekhar.
- Background: PubMed 10717855Yamaguchi K, Sher JS, Andersen WK, Garretson R, Uribe JW, Hechtman K, Neviaser RJ. Glenohumeral motion in patients with rotator cuff tears: a comparison of asymptomatic and symptomatic shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2000 Jan-Feb;9(1):6-11. doi: 10.1016/s1058-2746(00)90002-8.
- Background: PubMed 31769543Kunz P, Mick P, Gross S, Schmidmaier G, Zeifang F, Weber MA, Fischer C. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) as Predictor for Early Retear and Functional Outcome After Supraspinatus Tendon Repair. J Orthop Res. 2020 May;38(5):1150-1158. doi: 10.1002/jor.24535. Epub 2019 Dec 2.
- Background: PubMed 16127127Matava MJ, Purcell DB, Rudzki JR. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Am J Sports Med. 2005 Sep;33(9):1405-17. doi: 10.1177/0363546505280213.
- Background: PubMed 31246863Lawrence RL, Moutzouros V, Bey MJ. Asymptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears. JBJS Rev. 2019 Jun;7(6):e9. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.18.00149.
- Background: PubMed 8321574Coren S. Measurement of handedness via self-report: the relationship between brief and extended inventories. Percept Mot Skills. 1993 Jun;76(3 Pt 1):1035-42. doi: 10.2466/pms.1993.76.3.1035.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Shoulder
RecruitingPhase 4
Addition of a Pectoserratus Block to Interscalene Block in Patients Undergoing Total Shoulder Replacement
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
RecruitingObservational study
Stroke Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: Ultrasound Findings and VAS (Cross-Sectional)
Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain, Stroke
Active, not recruiting
Effects of Scapular Stabilization on Rotator Cuff Strength, Shoulder Pain, and Function
Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
Not yet recruiting
ESP Versus SPSIP Block for Pain Relief After Shoulder Arthroscopy
Postoperative Pain
Not yet recruitingPhase 4
Methylprednisolone Taper is an Effective Addition to Multimodal Pain Regimens After Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder
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.
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 Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified) and Rest in people with Shoulder, run by Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine at 1 site in United States.
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 1 inclusion and 8 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 13 May 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 United States. 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?
Muscle Stiffness (time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2). 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 NCT06447493, 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 13 May 2026.