Subacromial Impingement SyndromeNCT07228455
The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
A study testing Humeral Head Depressor Exercises and Standard physical therapy in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by Near East University, Turkey at 1 site in Cyprus.
Trial summary
Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, to improve the shoulder biomechanics affected by the syndrome, an intervention group was compared with a control group. The exercise program applied to the intervention group is expected to improve the function of the shoulder complex. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Humeral Head Depressor Exercises and Standard physical therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCyprus
- Study dates
- 3 Jul 2023to 3 Jul 2024
- 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
- Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month,
- Who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder,
- Who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and -
- Who were able to com-municate were included in the study
Who cannot join
- Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity,
- Having neuro-logical findings related to cervical disc herniation,
- Having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons,
- Having calcific tendonitis,
- Having undergone previous shoulder surgery,
- Physical therapy-rehabilitation for the shoulder with the same complaints in the last 6 months,
- Receiving corticosteroid injection were excluded from the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, to improve the shoulder biomechanics affected by the syndrome, an intervention group was compared with a control group. The exercise program applied to the intervention group is expected to improve the function of the shoulder complex.
Read the detailed description
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the shoulder joint. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program targeting humeral head depressor muscles on symptoms in individuals with SIS.Participants were randomly divided into study and control groups.Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month, who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder, who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and who were able to com-municate were included in the study. Individuals 1) Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity, 2) having neurological findings related to cervical disc herniation, 3) having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons, 4) having calcific tendonitis, 5) having undergone previous shoulder surgery and 6) Physical therapy-rehabilitation for the shoulder with the same complaints in the last 6 months, or 7) receiving corticosteroid injection were excluded from the study. While the control group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation, the study group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and tendon thickness measurements were evaluated by ultrasonography, while pain intensity was measured through VAS and McGill Questionnaire, upper extremity disability through DASH-T, and kinesiophobia through Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, respectively.
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Being tested
- Humeral Head Depressor Exercises, Standard physical therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Humeral Head Depressor ExercisesBehavioural
The Intervention group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour
Standard physical therapyBehavioural
Participants in this group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation as usually applied in routine care. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour. Outcomes were measured at the same time points as the intervention group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| The Intervention Group | Experimental | The Intervention group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. The exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 1 hour Receives: Behavioral: Humeral Head Depressor Exercises |
| The Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in the control group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation as usually applied in routine care. Sessions were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each lasting approximately 1 hour. Receives: Behavioral: Standard physical therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Acromio-humeral Distance (Ultrasonography, USG)
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Tendon Thickness Measurment
Supraspinatus Tendon, Infraspinatus Tendon, subscapularis Tendon, Teres Minor Tendon, Long Head Biceps Tendon, Rotator Cuff group Tendons General Thicknesses were evaluated in all planes, by USG using a GE LogiqP6 Pro device and a linear transducer. Imaging was performed using standard shoulder sections while the patients were in a sitting position
Measured: Baseline and 6 week
Pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Pain Rating Index)
Pain will be assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, specifically the Pain Rating Index (PRI). The total score ranges from 0 to 78, with higher scores indicating more severe pain.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Physical Activity subscale)
Kinesiophobia will be assessed using the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) - Physical Activity subscale (items 2-5). Score range: 0 to 24 (higher scores indicate greater fear-avoidance beliefs related to physical activity).
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Work subscale)
Kinesiophobia will also be assessed using the FABQ - Work subscale (items 6, 7, 9-12, 15). Score range: 0 to 42 (higher scores indicate greater fear-avoidance beliefs related to work).
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks.
Upper Extremity Disability Through (DASH-T)
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 posted14 Nov 2025
- Study start3 Jul 2023
- Primary completion3 Jul 2024
- Study completion3 Jul 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Subacromial Impingement SyndromeStudies 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
- Participants were quasi-randomly and sequentially assigned to either an intervention group receiving humeral head depressor exercises or a control group receiving routine exercise therapy. Each group followed their respective program for the duration of the study.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Near East University, Turkey
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Utku Kurtaran, Near East University, Turkey
- Investigators
- Ahmet OZGUL, Prof., Principal investigator, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kyrenia University Hospital, Kyrenia, Cyprus
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07228455
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023/115-1751
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 14 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The individual participant data from this study will not be shared.
Publications
Kurtaran U, Yerlikaya T, Yenen B, Ozgul A. The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening on Individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Nov 19;61(11):2061. doi: 10.3390/medicina61112061.
PubMed 41303896
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07228455
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023/115-1751
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Near East University, TurkeyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 3 Jul 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Nov 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.
Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, to improve the shoulder biomechanics affected by the syndrome, an intervention group was compared with a control group. The exercise program applied to the intervention group is expected to improve the function of the shoulder complex.
Detailed description
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the shoulder joint. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program targeting humeral head depressor muscles on symptoms in individuals with SIS.Participants were randomly divided into study and control groups.Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month, who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder, who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and who were able to com-municate were included in the study. Individuals 1) Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity, 2) having neurological findings related to cervical disc herniation, 3) having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons, 4) having calcific tendonitis, 5) having undergone previous shoulder surgery and 6) Physical therapy-rehabilitation for the shoulder with the same complaints in the last 6 months, or 7) receiving corticosteroid injection were excluded from the study. While the control group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation, the study group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and tendon thickness measurements were evaluated by ultrasonography, while pain intensity was measured through VAS and McGill Questionnaire, upper extremity disability through DASH-T, and kinesiophobia through Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, respectively.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were quasi-randomly and sequentially assigned to either an intervention group receiving humeral head depressor exercises or a control group receiving routine exercise therapy. Each group followed their respective program for the duration of the study.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| The Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Humeral Head Depressor ExercisesThe Intervention group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. The exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 1 hour |
| The Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standard physical therapyParticipants in the control group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation as usually applied in routine care. Sessions were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each lasting approximately 1 hour. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month,
- Who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder,
- Who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and -
- Who were able to com-municate were included in the study
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity,
- Having neuro-logical findings related to cervical disc herniation,
- Having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons,
- Having calcific tendonitis,
- Having undergone previous shoulder surgery,
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humeral Head Depressor ExercisesThe Intervention group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour | Behavioural | The Intervention Group |
| Standard physical therapyParticipants in this group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation as usually applied in routine care. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour. Outcomes were measured at the same time points as the intervention group. | Behavioural | The Control Group |
Primary outcome
Acromio-humeral Distance (Ultrasonography, USG)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
6 secondary outcomes
Tendon Thickness Measurment
Time frame: Baseline and 6 week
Pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Pain Rating Index)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Physical Activity subscale)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Work subscale)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks.
Upper Extremity Disability Through (DASH-T)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
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 14 Nov 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41303896Kurtaran U, Yerlikaya T, Yenen B, Ozgul A. The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening on Individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Nov 19;61(11):2061. doi: 10.3390/medicina61112061.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The individual participant data from this study will not be shared.
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Natural History of Shoulder Pathology in Manual Wheelchair Users
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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.
Ahmet OZGUL, Prof. principal investigator
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kyrenia University Hospital, Kyrenia, Cyprus
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Humeral Head Depressor Exercises and Standard physical therapy in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by Near East University, Turkey at 1 site in Cyprus.
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 4 inclusion and 7 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 14 Nov 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 Cyprus. 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?
Acromio-humeral Distance (Ultrasonography, USG) (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). 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 NCT07228455, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 14 Nov 2025.