Ipsilateral Shoulder PainNCT07746323
Effect of Modified Arm Positioning on Shoulder Pain After Thoracoscopic Lobectomy
A study testing Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning and Traditional Arm-Board Position in people with Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain and Lung Neoplasms, run by Chengdu Jinjiang Maternity and Child Health Hospital at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial aiming to reduce shoulder pain after lung surgery. Shoulder pain on the surgical side is common after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, affecting about 20%-58% of patients. It can limit coughing, moving, and sleeping, and may delay recovery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain, Lung Neoplasms
- What is being tested?
- Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning and Traditional Arm-Board Position
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 270 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to 30 Sep 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥18 years.
- Diagnosed with pulmonary space-occupying lesion and scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic standard lobectomy.
- ASA physical status classification I-III.
- No pre-existing shoulder pain or shoulder mobility impairment prior to surgery.
- No long-term use of analgesic medications (>1 week) before surgery.
- Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Severe cervical spine disease or history of brachial plexus injury.
- Cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorder precluding understanding of pain assessment scales.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospita
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610011
Lu Lu, 18981859640, jiafeijjfy@163.com
About this study
Official title: Effect of Modified Bilateral Arm Wrapping Position on Postoperative Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial aiming to reduce shoulder pain after lung surgery. Shoulder pain on the surgical side is common after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, affecting about 20%-58% of patients. It can limit coughing, moving, and sleeping, and may delay recovery.
The pain may come from two sources: nerve stimulation during surgery and the prolonged arm position used during the operation. While nerve stimulation is hard to avoid, the arm position can be modified. Currently, most pain treatments rely on medications or nerve blocks given after surgery, which have side effects or risks. No one has tried to prevent the pain by changing the arm position during the operation.
Read more
We plan to enroll 270 patients scheduled for thoracoscopic lung removal surgery at Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital. Patients will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive the standard side-lying position with arms extended on arm boards (traditional position). The other group will receive a modified position where both arms are bent at the elbows and wrapped with surgical drapes, without using arm boards (modified double-arm wrap position).
Our main goal is to compare the rate of shoulder pain (on the operated side) within 24 hours after surgery between the two groups. We will also compare pain on the opposite shoulder, pain severity, time needed to set up the position, total surgery time, hospital stay, and any nerve or skin complications.
This study has been approved by the Biomedical Ethics Review Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. All participants will provide written informed consent. The findings may help improve intraoperative positioning and enhance early recovery after lung surgery.
- Conditions
- Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain, Lung Neoplasms
- Being tested
- Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning, Traditional Arm-Board Position
- Medical subject headings
- Lung Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Modified Double-Arm Wrap PositioningOther
Participants in this arm are placed in the standard lateral decubitus position with a thin pillow under the lower side. Both upper arms are abducted to slightly less than 90 degrees, with elbows flexed at 90 degrees. A soft pad is placed between the hands. The forearms are positioned forward above the head, and both arms are wrapped together with surgical drapes for secure fixation. No arm boards are used. This modified position is maintained throughout the entire surgical procedure.
Traditional Arm-Board PositionOther
Participants in this arm are placed in the standard lateral decubitus position with a thin pillow under the lower side. The contralateral upper arm is abducted to slightly less than 90 degrees with the elbow extended, and the forearm is placed on an arm board with a strap secured at the elbow. The ipsilateral arm is similarly positioned on a separate arm board. Both arm boards are used for fixation throughout the entire surgical procedure.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Arm-Board Position | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Traditional Arm-Board Position |
| Modified Bilateral Arm-Wrapping Position | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Incidence of Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain Within 24 Hours Postoperatively
Measured: Within the first 24 hours after surgery
Secondary outcomes (8)
Incidence of Contralateral Shoulder Pain Within 24 Hours Postoperatively
Measured: Within the first 24 hours after surgery (Postoperative Day 1, 0-24 hours)
VAS scores for Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain at rest and on movement at 24 h postoperatively.
Measured: At 24 hours postoperatively
incidence of ipsilateral shoulder pain at postoperative day 3
Measured: Postoperative Day 3
Positioning Setup Time
Measured: Intraoperative recording
Total Surgical Duration
Measured: Intraoperative recording
Postoperative Hospital Stay
Measured: At hospital discharge
Incidence of Brachial Plexus Injury-Related Signs Within 72 Hours Postoperatively
Measured: Within 72 hours postoperatively
Position-related pressure injury within 72 h
Measured: From the end of surgery to 72 hours postoperatively
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2026
- Study start1 May 2026
- Primary completion31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Ipsilateral Shoulder PainStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu Jinjiang Maternity and Child Health Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Fei Jia, Chengdu Jinjiang Maternity and Child Health Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07746323
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025（693）
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- 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 5 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Modified Bilateral Arm Wrapping Position on Postoperative Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07746323
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025（693）
- Conditions
- Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain, Lung Neoplasms
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu Jinjiang Maternity and Child Health HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 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.
This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial aiming to reduce shoulder pain after lung surgery. Shoulder pain on the surgical side is common after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, affecting about 20%-58% of patients. It can limit coughing, moving, and sleeping, and may delay recovery.
The pain may come from two sources: nerve stimulation during surgery and the prolonged arm position used during the operation. While nerve stimulation is hard to avoid, the arm position can be modified. Currently, most pain treatments rely on medications or nerve blocks given after surgery, which have side effects or risks. No one has tried to prevent the pain by changing the arm position during the operation.
We plan to enroll 270 patients scheduled for thoracoscopic lung removal surgery at Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital. Patients will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive the standard side-lying position with arms extended on arm boards (traditional position). The other group will receive a modified position where both arms are bent at the elbows and wrapped with surgical drapes, without using arm boards (modified double-arm wrap position).
Our main goal is to compare the rate of shoulder pain (on the operated side) within 24 hours after surgery between the two groups. We will also compare pain on the opposite shoulder, pain severity, time needed to set up the position, total surgery time, hospital stay, and any nerve or skin complications.
This study has been approved by the Biomedical Ethics Review Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. All participants will provide written informed consent. The findings may help improve intraoperative positioning and enhance early recovery after lung surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Arm-Board Position | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Arm-Board Position |
| Modified Bilateral Arm-Wrapping Position | Experimental | Other: Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age ≥18 years.
- Diagnosed with pulmonary space-occupying lesion and scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic standard lobectomy.
- ASA physical status classification I-III.
- No pre-existing shoulder pain or shoulder mobility impairment prior to surgery.
- No long-term use of analgesic medications (>1 week) before surgery.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Severe cervical spine disease or history of brachial plexus injury.
- Cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorder precluding understanding of pain assessment scales.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Double-Arm Wrap PositioningParticipants in this arm are placed in the standard lateral decubitus position with a thin pillow under the lower side. Both upper arms are abducted to slightly less than 90 degrees, with elbows flexed at 90 degrees. A soft pad is placed between the hands. The forearms are positioned forward above the head, and both arms are wrapped together with surgical drapes for secure fixation. No arm boards are used. This modified position is maintained throughout the entire surgical procedure. | Other | Modified Bilateral Arm-Wrapping Position |
| Traditional Arm-Board PositionParticipants in this arm are placed in the standard lateral decubitus position with a thin pillow under the lower side. The contralateral upper arm is abducted to slightly less than 90 degrees with the elbow extended, and the forearm is placed on an arm board with a strap secured at the elbow. The ipsilateral arm is similarly positioned on a separate arm board. Both arm boards are used for fixation throughout the entire surgical procedure. | Other | Traditional Arm-Board Position |
Primary outcome
Incidence of Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain Within 24 Hours Postoperatively
Time frame: Within the first 24 hours after surgery
8 secondary outcomes
Incidence of Contralateral Shoulder Pain Within 24 Hours Postoperatively
Time frame: Within the first 24 hours after surgery (Postoperative Day 1, 0-24 hours)
VAS scores for Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain at rest and on movement at 24 h postoperatively.
Time frame: At 24 hours postoperatively
incidence of ipsilateral shoulder pain at postoperative day 3
Time frame: Postoperative Day 3
Positioning Setup Time
Time frame: Intraoperative recording
Total Surgical Duration
Time frame: Intraoperative recording
Postoperative Hospital Stay
Time frame: At hospital discharge
Incidence of Brachial Plexus Injury-Related Signs Within 72 Hours Postoperatively
Time frame: Within 72 hours postoperatively
Position-related pressure injury within 72 h
Time frame: From the end of surgery to 72 hours postoperatively
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 5 Aug 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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Modified Double-Arm Wrap Positioning and Traditional Arm-Board Position in people with Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain and Lung Neoplasms, run by Chengdu Jinjiang Maternity and Child Health Hospital at 1 site in China.
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 6 inclusion and 2 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 5 Aug 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 China. 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 LU FENG (+86 15982012545, fengluhx@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Incidence of Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain Within 24 Hours Postoperatively (time frame: Within the first 24 hours after surgery). 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 5 Aug 2026.