Subacromial Impingement SyndromeNCT07277868
Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Standard Physiotherapy in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of scapular stabilization exercises on pain, shoulder function, and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. 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?
- Standard Physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 30 Aug 2025to 30 Dec 2025
- 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
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
- Clinically diagnosed subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) based on:positive Neer test ,positive Hawkins-Kennedy test ,painful arc between 60°-120°,pain during resisted shoulder tests
- Symptoms present for at least 4 weeks.
- Ability to comply with a 12-week supervised rehabilitation program.
- Ability to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Previous shoulder surgery on the affected side.
- Presence of full-thickness rotator cuff tear confirmed by ultrasound imaging.
- Evidence of cervical radiculopathy or significant cervical spine pathology.
- Advanced glenohumeral or acromioclavicular osteoarthritis.
- History of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
- Severe cardiopulmonary, neurological, or systemic conditions limiting physical activity.
Show all 10Show fewer
- Recent shoulder fracture or dislocation (< 6 months).
- Participation in another structured shoulder rehabilitation program within the last 3 months.
- Pregnancy.
- Inability to understand or follow instructions required for the intervention or assessments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, 34303
About this study
Official title: Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Functional Outcomes in the Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Controlled Clinical Study
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of scapular stabilization exercises on pain, shoulder function, and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a scapular stabilization exercise program or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation program. Pain, functional outcome measures, and patient-reported quality of life will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study seeks to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises provides superior clinical benefit.
Read the detailed description
Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation. Scapular dyskinesis plays a key role in the development and persistence of SIS by altering scapulohumeral rhythm and increasing mechanical stress on subacromial tissues. Scapular stabilization exercises are increasingly used to restore normal scapular mechanics, improve muscular control, and reduce pain, but the clinical effectiveness of these exercises compared to conventional rehabilitation programs remains unclear.
This prospective, single-blind randomized controlled study investigates the effects of a scapular stabilization exercise program on pain, functional outcomes, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with SIS. Participants are randomly allocated to either a scapular stabilization group or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation group. Pain (VAS), functional status (QuickDASH and SPADI), range of motion, and quality-of-life measures are assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study aims to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises to standard rehabilitation leads to superior clinical improvement compared to conventional therapy alone.
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Being tested
- Standard Physiotherapy
- Keywords
- Exercise Therapy, Shoulder Rehabilitation, Scapular Stabilization, Functional Outcomes
- 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.
Standard PhysiotherapyOther
Also called Conventional Physiotherapy, Routine Physiotherapy
Standard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy modalities, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching exercises. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. The intervention does not include any scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization techniques. All participants receive a home exercise program including daily stretching and mobility exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Participants in this arm receive standard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. No scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization exercises are included. All participants also receive a home exercise program for daily stretching and mobility exercises. Receives: Other: Standard Physiotherapy |
| Scapular Stabilization + Mobilization-Based Rehabilitation | Experimental | Participants receive the same standard physiotherapy as the control group, combined with a supervised scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation program. This structured 12-week protocol (3 sessions per week) includes passive scapular mobilization (10-12 minutes per session) and a three-phase stabilization exercise progression targeting scapular mechanics, muscle activation, strength, and neuromuscular control. A daily home exercise program is also provided. Receives: Other: Standard Physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
1. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score
QuickDASH is an 11-item validated questionnaire that measures physical function and symptoms related to upper extremity disorders. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The primary outcome is the change in QuickDASH score from baseline to Week 12.
Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
Secondary outcomes (2)
Modified Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
The Constant-Murley Score assesses shoulder pain (15 points), daily activities (20 points), range of motion (40 points), and strength (25 points). Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function. The secondary outcome is the improvement in CMS over time.
Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity at rest is measured using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). The outcome represents the change in resting pain levels over time.
Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Dec 2025
- Study start30 Aug 2025
- Primary completion30 Nov 2025
- Study completion30 Dec 2025
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
- This study uses a parallel assignment model in which participants are allocated into two distinct groups: (1) standard physiotherapy and (2) standard physiotherapy plus scapular stabilization-mobilization-based rehabilitation.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zeynep Karakuzu Güngör, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
- Investigators
- Zeynep Karakuzu Güngör, Principal investigator, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07277868
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- impingement-2025
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 13 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because data sharing is not planned for this study.
Publications
Karakuzu Gungor Z, Tan MS. Effect of scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation on pain and shoulder function in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026 Apr 13;27(1):330. doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09760-7.
PubMed 41975358
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Functional Outcomes in the Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Controlled Clinical Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07277868
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- impingement-2025
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Keywords
- Exercise Therapy, Shoulder Rehabilitation, Scapular Stabilization, Functional Outcomes
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Dec 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 randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of scapular stabilization exercises on pain, shoulder function, and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a scapular stabilization exercise program or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation program. Pain, functional outcome measures, and patient-reported quality of life will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study seeks to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises provides superior clinical benefit.
Detailed description
Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation. Scapular dyskinesis plays a key role in the development and persistence of SIS by altering scapulohumeral rhythm and increasing mechanical stress on subacromial tissues. Scapular stabilization exercises are increasingly used to restore normal scapular mechanics, improve muscular control, and reduce pain, but the clinical effectiveness of these exercises compared to conventional rehabilitation programs remains unclear.
This prospective, single-blind randomized controlled study investigates the effects of a scapular stabilization exercise program on pain, functional outcomes, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with SIS. Participants are randomly allocated to either a scapular stabilization group or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation group. Pain (VAS), functional status (QuickDASH and SPADI), range of motion, and quality-of-life measures are assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study aims to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises to standard rehabilitation leads to superior clinical improvement compared to conventional therapy alone.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study uses a parallel assignment model in which participants are allocated into two distinct groups: (1) standard physiotherapy and (2) standard physiotherapy plus scapular stabilization-mobilization-based rehabilitation.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Other: Standard PhysiotherapyParticipants in this arm receive standard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. No scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization exercises are included. All participants also receive a home exercise program for daily stretching and mobility exercises. |
| Scapular Stabilization + Mobilization-Based Rehabilitation | Experimental | Other: Standard PhysiotherapyParticipants receive the same standard physiotherapy as the control group, combined with a supervised scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation program. This structured 12-week protocol (3 sessions per week) includes passive scapular mobilization (10-12 minutes per session) and a three-phase stabilization exercise progression targeting scapular mechanics, muscle activation, strength, and neuromuscular control. A daily home exercise program is also provided. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
- Clinically diagnosed subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) based on:positive Neer test ,positive Hawkins-Kennedy test ,painful arc between 60°-120°,pain during resisted shoulder tests
- Symptoms present for at least 4 weeks.
- Ability to comply with a 12-week supervised rehabilitation program.
- Ability to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Previous shoulder surgery on the affected side.
- Presence of full-thickness rotator cuff tear confirmed by ultrasound imaging.
- Evidence of cervical radiculopathy or significant cervical spine pathology.
- Advanced glenohumeral or acromioclavicular osteoarthritis.
- History of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard PhysiotherapyAlso: Conventional Physiotherapy, Routine PhysiotherapyStandard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy modalities, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching exercises. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. The intervention does not include any scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization techniques. All participants receive a home exercise program including daily stretching and mobility exercises. | Other | Scapular Stabilization + Mobilization-Based Rehabilitation, Standard Physiotherapy |
Primary outcome
1. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
QuickDASH is an 11-item validated questionnaire that measures physical function and symptoms related to upper extremity disorders. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The primary outcome is the change in QuickDASH score from baseline to Week 12.
2 secondary outcomes
Modified Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12
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 Jan 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41975358Karakuzu Gungor Z, Tan MS. Effect of scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation on pain and shoulder function in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026 Apr 13;27(1):330. doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09760-7.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because data sharing is not planned for this study.
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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.
Zeynep Karakuzu Güngör principal investigator
Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Standard Physiotherapy in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital 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 5 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 13 Jan 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 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?
1. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score (time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12). 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 NCT07277868, 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 13 Jan 2026.