Subacromial Impingement SyndromeNCT07385378
Effects of Myofascial Chain Tension Modulation Combined With Scapular Corrective Exercise on Scapular Movement Performance and Functional Outcomes in Tennis Players With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
A study testing Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Elastic band in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by China Medical University Hospital.
Trial summary
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Elastic band
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 31 Aug 2027
- 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 20 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants were included if they met all of the following conditions:
- a VAS score greater than 3 during the Hawkins test (indicating mild to moderate pain),
- at least two positive results among the Hawkins test, Neer test, and painful arch test, and
- a positive result on the mSAT. Only participants who fulfilled all three criteria were enrolled in the study.
Who cannot join
- Participants were excluded if they had a history of clavicle, scapular, or humeral fractures; shoulder dislocation; or rotator cuff surgery; positive results on the cervical compression test, apprehension test, or drop arm test; had received corticosteroid injections within the past three months; had undergone physical therapy within the past six months; or reported a VAS score higher than 9.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Integrated scapular rehabilitation combines Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and postural correction exercises. IASTM detects soft tissue restrictions through multidirectional strokes and enhances the pain threshold of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) via reflex hyperemia. Postural correction exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones to improve stability and posture. The combination of these interventions may enhance scapular stability and dynamic control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrated scapular rehabilitation on scapular kinematics, movement correction, functional improvement, and pain management in tennis athletes with SIS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention effects.
Read the detailed description
Participants aged 20 years or older were recruited. Outcome measures included pain intensity, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation), modified Scapular Assistance Test (mSAT), muscle strength (upper, middle, and lower trapezius; serratus anterior; rhomboids; levator scapulae; internal and external rotators), soft tissue elasticity (upper trapezius), myofascial trigger point pain threshold (upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids), subacromial space, and supraspinatus thickness.
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Being tested
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Elastic band
- Keywords
- muscle imbalance, scapular dyskinesis, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
- 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.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationDevice
IASTM is an assistive instrument designed to reduce the physical effort required by the practitioner and can be applied without a specific directional pattern. It aims to induce localized reactive hyperemia through repeated application, temporarily alter tissue rheological properties, and modulate sensory feedback via cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Its mechanisms involve both mechanical and neurophysiological components.
Elastic bandDevice
Elastic resistance bands of different colors were used for resistance training, with training intensity increased or decreased by selecting bands of varying resistance levels.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise) | Experimental | The integrated scapular rehabilitation training group received a specially designed scapular core rehabilitation program, which included the use of IASTM to inhibit overactive and tight muscles, targeted stretching exercises, strengthening training for elongated or weakened muscles, and finally, movement integration through multi-joint exercises. Receives: Device: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Device: Elastic band |
| Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise) | Active comparator | The conventional rehabilitation training group received only traditional rehabilitation exercises, including stretching and strengthening training. Receives: Device: Elastic band |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain (VAS score during the Hawkins test)
Measured: Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2027 (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.
- More trials run by China Medical University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07385378
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CMUH114-REC3-210
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Myofascial Chain Tension Modulation Combined With Scapular Corrective Exercise on Scapular Movement Performance and Functional Outcomes in Tennis Players With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07385378
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMUH114-REC3-210
- Conditions
- Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
- Keywords
- muscle imbalance, scapular dyskinesis, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Feb 2026 (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 (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Integrated scapular rehabilitation combines Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and postural correction exercises. IASTM detects soft tissue restrictions through multidirectional strokes and enhances the pain threshold of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) via reflex hyperemia. Postural correction exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones to improve stability and posture. The combination of these interventions may enhance scapular stability and dynamic control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrated scapular rehabilitation on scapular kinematics, movement correction, functional improvement, and pain management in tennis athletes with SIS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention effects.
Detailed description
Participants aged 20 years or older were recruited. Outcome measures included pain intensity, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation), modified Scapular Assistance Test (mSAT), muscle strength (upper, middle, and lower trapezius; serratus anterior; rhomboids; levator scapulae; internal and external rotators), soft tissue elasticity (upper trapezius), myofascial trigger point pain threshold (upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids), subacromial space, and supraspinatus thickness.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise) | Experimental | Device: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Device: Elastic bandThe integrated scapular rehabilitation training group received a specially designed scapular core rehabilitation program, which included the use of IASTM to inhibit overactive and tight muscles, targeted stretching exercises, strengthening training for elongated or weakened muscles, and finally, movement integration through multi-joint exercises. |
| Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise) | Active comparator | Device: Elastic bandThe conventional rehabilitation training group received only traditional rehabilitation exercises, including stretching and strengthening training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participants were included if they met all of the following conditions:
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants were excluded if they had a history of clavicle, scapular, or humeral fractures; shoulder dislocation; or rotator cuff surgery; positive results on the cervical compression test, apprehension test, or drop arm test; had received corticosteroid injections within the past three months; had undergone physical therapy within the past six months; or reported a VAS score higher than 9.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationIASTM is an assistive instrument designed to reduce the physical effort required by the practitioner and can be applied without a specific directional pattern. It aims to induce localized reactive hyperemia through repeated application, temporarily alter tissue rheological properties, and modulate sensory feedback via cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Its mechanisms involve both mechanical and neurophysiological components. | Device | Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise) |
| Elastic bandElastic resistance bands of different colors were used for resistance training, with training intensity increased or decreased by selecting bands of varying resistance levels. | Device | Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise), Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise) |
Primary outcome
Pain (VAS score during the Hawkins test)
Time frame: Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
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 4 Feb 2026.
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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.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Elastic band in people with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, run by China Medical University Hospital.
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 1 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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 Yueh-Ling Hsieh, PHD (04-22053366 ext. #7312, sherrie@mail.cmu.edu.tw), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain (VAS score during the Hawkins test) (time frame: Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month 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 4 Feb 2026.