The effect of EMG biofeedback: a randomized controlled clinical trial in patients with shoulder pain

The effect of eight weeks of training with and without EMG biofeedback, on pain and muscle function in patients with shoulder impingement: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN10718603

Enrollment

Registered

2017-11-24

Start date

2010-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2021-05-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) Musculoskeletal Diseases Impingement syndrome of shoulder

Interventions

The intervention program was divided into two periods. The first period was a three-week phase with instruction in different exercises with focus on LT and SA activation. The purpose was to (re)activa

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. At least 30 days with pain/discomfort in the shoulder/neck region within the last year 2. At least two or more positive impingement tests based on the Jobe, Neer; Hawkins and Apprehensions tests 3. 18-65 years old

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Equal or more than 8 in pain/discomfort - measured with Numeric Rating Scale from 0-10 (NRS) - throughout the last 24 hours (on test day) 2. Had more than three regions with pain, for at least 30 days during the last 12 months 3. Had a history of severe shoulder-neck pathology/trauma and/or orthopaedic surgery and/or received anti-inflammatory injections within the last 3 months 4. If they were pregnant (EMG precaution) 5. Any documented life threatening diseases 6. Cardiovascular diseases 7. Rheumatoid arthritis 8. Generalized pain 9. Adverse psychosocial conditions 10. Signs for cervical radiculopathy, i.e. Spurling A test, Involved Cervical Rotation test (less than 60?), Neck Distraction test

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Self-reported pain assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) as part of a questionnaire filled out before commencing physical testing at baseline and follow-up (week 0 and 8): 1. “Pain now” measured on NRS (0-10) at baseline and follow-up testing 2. “Pain within the last 24 hours” measured on NRS (0-9) at baseline and follow-up testing 3. “Pain within the last 7 days” measured on NRS (0-9) at baseline and follow-up testing Furthermore, the subjects were asked to register their daily pain level in a diary throughout the eight weeks of home exercise. This diary was used to measure the daily pain development (NRS 0-10) and then to measure compliance, as the subjects would register the execution of their home exercises.	—

Measure

Time frame

Self-reported pain assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) as part of a questionnaire filled out before commencing physical testing at baseline and follow-up (week 0 and 8): 1. “Pain now” measured on NRS (0-10) at baseline and follow-up testing 2. “Pain within the last 24 hours” measured on NRS (0-9) at baseline and follow-up testing 3. “Pain within the last 7 days” measured on NRS (0-9) at baseline and follow-up testing Furthermore, the subjects were asked to register their daily pain level in a diary throughout the eight weeks of home exercise. This diary was used to measure the daily pain development (NRS 0-10) and then to measure compliance, as the subjects would register the execution of their home exercises.

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Self-reported shoulder-scores obtained from questionnaires at baseline and follow-up: 1.1. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) 1.2. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) 2. Muscle activity measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from three muscles: upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA). The measurements were carried out according to a standardized experimental procedure, containing a voluntary movement task (described in experimental procedure). During arm elevation, mean relative activity (percentage of maximal voluntary electric activity, %MVE) was measured and muscle activation ratios between the muscles (UT/LT and UT/SA) were calculated. Measured at baseline and follow-up.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Self-reported shoulder-scores obtained from questionnaires at baseline and follow-up: 1.1. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) 1.2. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) 2. Muscle activity measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from three muscles: upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA). The measurements were carried out according to a standardized experimental procedure, containing a voluntary movement task (described in experimental procedure). During arm elevation, mean relative activity (percentage of maximal voluntary electric activity, %MVE) was measured and muscle activation ratios between the muscles (UT/LT and UT/SA) were calculated. Measured at baseline and follow-up.

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Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026