Subacromial Impingement SyndromeNCT07293702
IASTM Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Subacromial Impingement
A study testing Conventional exercise group and IASTM group in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome and Massage, run by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, Massage, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
- What is being tested?
- Conventional exercise group and IASTM group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Jan 2026to 20 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 40 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals diagnosed with SIS by MRI
- Men and women between 40 and 60 years of age
- Individuals with symptoms persisting for at least one month
- Individuals with a minimum of 60° of shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion
Who cannot join
- Individuals with a history of surgery on the affected arm
- Individuals with an open wound on the arm
- Individuals with an active infection
- Individuals with inflammatory joint disease
- Individuals with malignant or benign tumors were excluded from the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Istanbul Medipol University
Istanbul, 34820
BURAK MENEK, PhD, +905444761640, bmenek@medipol.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: **Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome**
The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).
Read the detailed description
The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).
A total of 38 participants will be included in the study and will be randomly assigned to either the Conventional Exercise Group or the IASTM Group. Both groups will receive treatment for 4 weeks, three sessions per week, for a total of 12 sessions.
Before the intervention, both groups will be assessed for pain (VAS), range of motion (goniometer), joint position sense (goniometer), functionality (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand - DASH), and quality of life (Rotator Cuff Quality of Life - RC-QoL).
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, Massage, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Soft Tissue Injuries
- Being tested
- Conventional exercise group, IASTM group
- Keywords
- Subakromial Impingement Syndrome, IASTM, Shoulder
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Soft Tissue Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conventional exercise groupOther
All participants will receive a standardized electrotherapy program in a clinical setting, consisting of TENS (100 Hz, 30 minutes), ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 8 minutes), and a 15-minute cold-pack application, delivered three times per week for four weeks. In addition to electrotherapy, participants in the conventional exercise group will perform a physiotherapist-guided exercise program aimed at improving shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation through stretching and range-of-motion exercises. The program will include Codman exercises, wand exercises, finger-ladder activities, and condition-appropriate strengthening exercises, progressed according to each participant's pain level and tolerance.
IASTM groupOther
Participants in the IASTM group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in addition to the conventional treatment program, three days per week for four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. The IASTM technique will be applied to the subscapularis, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles.
For each muscle group, the treatment will be administered for 20 seconds in a parallel direction and 20 seconds in a perpendicular direction, using sweep and brush techniques at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional exercise group | Active comparator | Conventional exercises will be applied. Receives: Other: Conventional exercise group |
| IASTM group | Experimental | In addition to the conventional exercises, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) will be applied. Receives: Other: Conventional exercise group; Other: IASTM group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a tool used to measure pain intensity as a single-dimensional construct across different adult populations. It typically consists of a horizontal or vertical line measuring 10 cm in length. On this scale, a score of 0 indicates no pain, while a score of 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Range of motion
Shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation range of motion will be assessed using a universal goniometer while the patient is positioned in supine and performs the movements actively.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a scale that evaluates functional status and capability following injuries or disorders affecting the upper extremity. The DASH consists of 30 items. These items assess difficulties encountered during specific tasks, as well as pain, numbness, stiffness, weakness, sleep problems, self-confidence, and participation in social activities. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment in upper extremity function.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Joint position sense
To evaluate shoulder proprioception, joint position sense will be measured at 60° of shoulder flexion and 60° of shoulder abduction. During the assessment, participants will be positioned in standing and guided to the target angles by the physiotherapist using a goniometer. In each position, participants will be asked to maintain 60° of flexion or 60° of abduction for 10 seconds with their eyes open and to memorize the perceived position. They will then be instructed to reproduce the same movement with their eyes closed. The difference between the angle measured with eyes open and the angle reproduced with eyes closed will be recorded as the joint position sense error (error angle).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Rotator cuff quality of life Index
Quality of life in individuals with shoulder pathology was evaluated using the Rotator Cuff Quality of Life (RC-QoL) questionnaire. The RC-QoL consists of 34 items and five subscales. Results are interpreted in a positive direction; as the RC-QoL score increases, the individual's shoulder-related quality of life is considered to have improved, and symptoms are regarded as reduced.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Dec 2025
- Study start25 Jan 2026
- Primary completion10 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- 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 in the first group underwent conventional physiotherapy interventions for 4 weeks, 3 days per week.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, burak menek, Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
- Investigators
- Burak Menek, PhD, Principal investigator, Medipol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07293702
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-6969
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- **Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome**
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07293702
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-6969
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, Massage, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Soft Tissue Injuries
- Keywords
- Subakromial Impingement Syndrome, IASTM, Shoulder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Medipol University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 19 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.
The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).
Detailed description
The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).
A total of 38 participants will be included in the study and will be randomly assigned to either the Conventional Exercise Group or the IASTM Group. Both groups will receive treatment for 4 weeks, three sessions per week, for a total of 12 sessions.
Before the intervention, both groups will be assessed for pain (VAS), range of motion (goniometer), joint position sense (goniometer), functionality (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand - DASH), and quality of life (Rotator Cuff Quality of Life - RC-QoL).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants in the first group underwent conventional physiotherapy interventions for 4 weeks, 3 days per week.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional exercise group | Active comparator | Other: Conventional exercise groupConventional exercises will be applied. |
| IASTM group | Experimental | Other: Conventional exercise group, Other: IASTM groupIn addition to the conventional exercises, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) will be applied. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals diagnosed with SIS by MRI
- Men and women between 40 and 60 years of age
- Individuals with symptoms persisting for at least one month
- Individuals with a minimum of 60° of shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Individuals with a history of surgery on the affected arm
- Individuals with an open wound on the arm
- Individuals with an active infection
- Individuals with inflammatory joint disease
- Individuals with malignant or benign tumors were excluded from the study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional exercise groupAll participants will receive a standardized electrotherapy program in a clinical setting, consisting of TENS (100 Hz, 30 minutes), ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 8 minutes), and a 15-minute cold-pack application, delivered three times per week for four weeks. In addition to electrotherapy, participants in the conventional exercise group will perform a physiotherapist-guided exercise program aimed at improving shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation through stretching and range-of-motion exercises. The program will include Codman exercises, wand exercises, finger-ladder activities, and condition-appropriate strengthening exercises, progressed according to each participant's pain level and tolerance. | Other | Conventional exercise group, IASTM group |
| IASTM groupParticipants in the IASTM group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in addition to the conventional treatment program, three days per week for four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. The IASTM technique will be applied to the subscapularis, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles. For each muscle group, the treatment will be administered for 20 seconds in a parallel direction and 20 seconds in a perpendicular direction, using sweep and brush techniques at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. | Other | IASTM group |
Primary outcome
Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a tool used to measure pain intensity as a single-dimensional construct across different adult populations. It typically consists of a horizontal or vertical line measuring 10 cm in length. On this scale, a score of 0 indicates no pain, while a score of 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
Range of motion
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation range of motion will be assessed using a universal goniometer while the patient is positioned in supine and performs the movements actively.
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a scale that evaluates functional status and capability following injuries or disorders affecting the upper extremity. The DASH consists of 30 items. These items assess difficulties encountered during specific tasks, as well as pain, numbness, stiffness, weakness, sleep problems, self-confidence, and participation in social activities. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment in upper extremity function.
2 secondary outcomes
Joint position sense
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Rotator cuff quality of life Index
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
RecruitingObservational study
Pain Phenotype and Response to Corticosteroid Injection in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS)
Subacromial Pain Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain
RecruitingObservational study
Nociplastic Pain in Patients Diagnosed With Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS)
Subacromial Pain Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Methods in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Recruiting
Latissimus Dorsi Strengthening Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Recruiting
Functional Electrical Stimulation Combined With Exercise for Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain in Older Adults
Rotator Cuff Disease, Subacromial Pain Syndrome
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.
Burak Menek, PhD principal investigator
Medipol 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 exercise group and IASTM group in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome and Massage, run by Istanbul Medipol University 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 4 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Mar 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Burak Menek, PhD (05444761640, bmenek@medipol.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analog Scale (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 25 Mar 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.