Post MastectomyNCT07103109
Impact of Proximal Motor Control Exercise on Scapular Muscles Activation Pattern in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Mastectomy
A study testing Conventional physical therapy in people with Post Mastectomy, run by Ahram Canadian University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This prospective, single-center, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 35 to 55 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Post Mastectomy
- What is being tested?
- Conventional physical therapy
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 5 Aug 2025to 7 Sep 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 35 to 55 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Had stage I-III unilateral breast cancer. Had undergone simple or modified radical mastectomy at least 3 months before enrollment.
- Had achieved complete postoperative wound healing and were medically stable. Had clearance from their treating physician to participate in exercise. Presented with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction, defined as a SPADI score ≥30/100 and a positive Scapular Dyskinesis Test.
Who cannot join
- Had undergone bilateral mastectomy. Had evidence of locoregional recurrence or metastatic breast cancer. Had a history of previous shoulder surgery or major shoulder trauma unrelated to breast cancer treatment.
- Had pre-existing shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff tears, adhesive capsulitis, or advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
- Had neurological disorders affecting upper-limb function. Had rheumatologic diseases affecting shoulder function. Had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or any other medical condition contraindicating exercise participation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Out patient clinic , faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian university
Giza, Giza Governorate
About this study
Official title: Impact of Proximal Motor Control Exercises on Scapular Muscles Activation Pattern in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This prospective, single-center, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction. Women aged 35-55 years were randomly allocated to receive either PMCE plus CPT or CPT alone. Both groups attended supervised physiotherapy sessions three times weekly for 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was scapular and shoulder muscle activation assessed using surface electromyography (SEMG), while secondary outcomes included shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
Read the detailed description
This single-center, prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction.
Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive either PMCE plus CPT or CPT alone. Both groups attended supervised physiotherapy sessions three times weekly for six weeks. PMCE focused on improving scapular alignment, neuromuscular coordination, and activation of scapular stabilizing muscles, whereas CPT included glenohumeral joint mobilization, posterior capsule stretching, and Codman pendulum exercises.
Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was scapular and shoulder muscle activation assessed using surface electromyography (SEMG). The secondary outcome was shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
The study aimed to determine whether PMCE combined with CPT provided greater improvements in neuromuscular and clinical outcomes than CPT alone.
- Conditions
- Post Mastectomy
- Being tested
- Proximal Motor Control exercises, Conventional physical therapy
- Keywords
- Proximal stabilization
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Proximal Motor Control exercisesOther
The PMCE program was: Participants were trained to achieve and maintain optimal scapular positioning using visual, verbal, tactile, and kinesthetic feedback, followed by controlled arm elevation to 90° in the sagittal, frontal, and scapular planes.
Muscle-specific exercises included prone 135° elevation for the lower trapezius, wall slides with scapular protraction for the serratus anterior, full-can scaption for the supraspinatus, and resisted external rotation for the infraspinatus. Upper trapezius activation was incorporated during controlled arm elevation. Exercises were performed for three sets of 10 repetitions with 6-second holds and 60-90 seconds of rest. Resistance started at approximately 0.5-1.0 kg and was progressively increased according to the participant's ability to maintain proper scapular alignment without compensatory movement or increased symptoms. The PMCE program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks.
Conventional physical therapyOther
CPT consisted of glenohumeral joint mobilization, posterior capsule stretching, and Codman pendulum exercises. Joint mobilization included distraction, caudal, and posterior glides using Grade 1-2 oscillations for approximately 2 minutes. Posterior capsule stretching was performed with the shoulder at 90° flexion, holding each stretch for 20 seconds for 10 repetitions with 30 seconds of rest. Codman pendulum exercises were performed in anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and circular directions without resistance to facilitate gentle shoulder mobility. The CPT program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| study group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Proximal Motor Control exercises; Other: Conventional physical therapy |
| control | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Conventional physical therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
EMG Muscle Activation
Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess the activation patterns of the serratus anterior, upper and lower trapezius, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles during arm elevation. The sEMG assessment was conducted using a wireless sEMG system with a sampling rate of 2000 Hz and a bandwidth of 20-500 Hz. Pre-gelled, disposable, self-adhesive Ag/AgCl electrodes were placed over the muscle bellies according to the SENIAM recommendations, with an inter-electrode distance of 20 mm.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks follow up
Secondary outcomes (1)
Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI)
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was used to assess shoulder pain and disability. It is a self-administered questionnaire with established reliability and sensitivity, consisting of 13 items across two domains: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Participants selected the number that best reflected their pain or difficulty on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. The scores of the pain and disability subscales were averaged to calculate a total percentage score, with higher scores indicating greater shoulder pain and dysfunction.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks follow up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2025
- Study start5 Aug 2025
- Primary completion7 Sep 2026
- Study completion7 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post MastectomyStudies 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
- This is a parallel group randomized controlled trial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ahram Canadian University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Benha University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mahmoud H Mohamed, PhD, Ahram Canadian University
- Investigators
- Mohamed Naeem, Ph.D, Study director, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Sueif university
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103109
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Scapular Ms -Mastectomy 2025
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 11 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Proximal Motor Control Exercises on Scapular Muscles Activation Pattern in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103109
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Scapular Ms -Mastectomy 2025
- Conditions
- Post Mastectomy
- Keywords
- Proximal stabilization
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ahram Canadian UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Benha University
- Study start
- 5 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 2025 (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 prospective, single-center, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction. Women aged 35-55 years were randomly allocated to receive either PMCE plus CPT or CPT alone. Both groups attended supervised physiotherapy sessions three times weekly for 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was scapular and shoulder muscle activation assessed using surface electromyography (SEMG), while secondary outcomes included shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
Detailed description
This single-center, prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding proximal motor control exercises (PMCE) to conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) improved shoulder function and scapular muscle activation in women with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction.
Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive either PMCE plus CPT or CPT alone. Both groups attended supervised physiotherapy sessions three times weekly for six weeks. PMCE focused on improving scapular alignment, neuromuscular coordination, and activation of scapular stabilizing muscles, whereas CPT included glenohumeral joint mobilization, posterior capsule stretching, and Codman pendulum exercises.
Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was scapular and shoulder muscle activation assessed using surface electromyography (SEMG). The secondary outcome was shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
The study aimed to determine whether PMCE combined with CPT provided greater improvements in neuromuscular and clinical outcomes than CPT alone.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is a parallel group randomized controlled trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| study group | Experimental | Other: Proximal Motor Control exercises, Other: Conventional physical therapy |
| control | Active comparator | Other: Conventional physical therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 35 to 55 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Had stage I-III unilateral breast cancer. Had undergone simple or modified radical mastectomy at least 3 months before enrollment.
- Had achieved complete postoperative wound healing and were medically stable. Had clearance from their treating physician to participate in exercise. Presented with post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction, defined as a SPADI score ≥30/100 and a positive Scapular Dyskinesis Test.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Had undergone bilateral mastectomy. Had evidence of locoregional recurrence or metastatic breast cancer. Had a history of previous shoulder surgery or major shoulder trauma unrelated to breast cancer treatment.
- Had pre-existing shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff tears, adhesive capsulitis, or advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
- Had neurological disorders affecting upper-limb function. Had rheumatologic diseases affecting shoulder function. Had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or any other medical condition contraindicating exercise participation.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Proximal Motor Control exercisesThe PMCE program was: Participants were trained to achieve and maintain optimal scapular positioning using visual, verbal, tactile, and kinesthetic feedback, followed by controlled arm elevation to 90° in the sagittal, frontal, and scapular planes. Muscle-specific exercises included prone 135° elevation for the lower trapezius, wall slides with scapular protraction for the serratus anterior, full-can scaption for the supraspinatus, and resisted external rotation for the infraspinatus. Upper trapezius activation was incorporated during controlled arm elevation. Exercises were performed for three sets of 10 repetitions with 6-second holds and 60-90 seconds of rest. Resistance started at approximately 0.5-1.0 kg and was progressively increased according to the participant's ability to maintain proper scapular alignment without compensatory movement or increased symptoms. The PMCE program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks. | Other | study group |
| Conventional physical therapyCPT consisted of glenohumeral joint mobilization, posterior capsule stretching, and Codman pendulum exercises. Joint mobilization included distraction, caudal, and posterior glides using Grade 1-2 oscillations for approximately 2 minutes. Posterior capsule stretching was performed with the shoulder at 90° flexion, holding each stretch for 20 seconds for 10 repetitions with 30 seconds of rest. Codman pendulum exercises were performed in anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and circular directions without resistance to facilitate gentle shoulder mobility. The CPT program was administered three times per week for six consecutive weeks. | Other | control, study group |
Primary outcome
EMG Muscle Activation
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks follow up
Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess the activation patterns of the serratus anterior, upper and lower trapezius, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles during arm elevation. The sEMG assessment was conducted using a wireless sEMG system with a sampling rate of 2000 Hz and a bandwidth of 20-500 Hz. Pre-gelled, disposable, self-adhesive Ag/AgCl electrodes were placed over the muscle bellies according to the SENIAM recommendations, with an inter-electrode distance of 20 mm.
1 secondary outcome
Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks follow up
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 11 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Mohamed Naeem, Ph.D study director
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Sueif 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 Conventional physical therapy in people with Post Mastectomy, run by Ahram Canadian University at 1 site in Egypt.
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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Sep 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 Egypt. 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?
EMG Muscle Activation (time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks follow up). 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 11 Sep 2026.