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Short-term Effects of Thoracic Manipulation in Shoulder Impingement

Short-term Effects of Thoracic Manipulation on Scapular Kinematics, Muscle Activity and Pain in Shoulder Impingement. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02083796
Enrollment
110
Registered
2014-03-11
Start date
2013-07-31
Completion date
2015-07-31
Last updated
2015-10-27

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

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Keywords

manual therapy, rehabilitation, shoulder, spine

Brief summary

The hypothesis of this study is that thoracic spine manipulation would reduce pain in subjects with SIS and cause changes in scapular kinematics and muscle activity in subjects with impingement symptoms and in asymptomatic subjects. With this study, the investigators want to answer if possible changes in scapular motion and muscle activity following a TSM depend on the symptoms or if it is generic to individuals without shoulder dysfunction and not specific to subjects with shoulder impingement.

Detailed description

Subjects with shoulder impingement signs will be evaluated and will be compared with subjects asymptomatic for shoulder symptoms. Both subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: thoracic spinal manipulation (TSM) or sham intervention. We want to know if possible changes in scapular motion and muscle activity following a TSM depend on the symptoms or if it is generic to everyone. Also, we want to know if TSM reduces shoulder pain immediately and in a short-therm period.

Interventions

PROCEDUREShoulder impingement_TSM

A physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in manual therapy will administer the TSM targeting the middle thoracic spine of the subjects.

PROCEDUREAsymptomatic_TSM

A physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in manual therapy administered the TSM targeting the middle thoracic spine of the subjects.

PROCEDUREShoulder impingement_sham

A physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in manual therapy administered the sham intervention targeting the middle thoracic spine of the subjects.

PROCEDUREAsymptomatic_sham

A physiotherapist with 4 years of experience in manual therapy administered the sham intervention targeting the middle thoracic spine of the subjects.

Sponsors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

(symptomatic subjects): To present with at least 3 of the following findings: * positive Neer impingement test, * positive Hawkins impingement test, * positive Jobe test, * pain with passive or isometric resisted shoulder lateral rotation, * pain with active shoulder elevation, * pain with palpation of rotator cuff tendons, * pain in the C5 or C6 dermatome region.

Exclusion criteria

(symptomatic subjects): * signs of red flags for spinal manipulation (eg, fracture, osteoporosis, malignancy, infection, and active inflammatory process), * pregnancy * systemic illnesses * if received physical therapy or manual therapy treatment within the 6 months prior to the evaluation * signs of complete rotator cuff tear or acute inflammation * cervical-thoracic spine related symptoms (ie, positive cervical compression test and excessive kyphosis) * scoliosis * glenohumeral instability (ie, positive apprehension, anterior drawer, or sulcus tests) * previous upper extremity fracture or shoulder surgery.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in scapular orientation from first to third dayDay 1; day 2; day 33D scapular kinematic (upward/downward rotation; internal/external rotation; anterior/posterior tilt) was assessed pre- and-post thoracic spinal manipulation and sham interventions at first and second days. At the third day of evaluation the measure was assessed only once.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in shoulder pain from first to third dayDay 1; Day 2; Day 3Shoulder pain was assessed pre- and-post thoracic spinal manipulation and sham interventions at first and second days. At the third day of evaluation the measure was assessed only once.
Change in shoulder function from first to third dayDay 1; Day 2; Day 3Shoulder function was assessed at the beginning of each data collection day (days 1 to 3) using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) questionnaires.
Change in scapular muscle activity from first to third dayDay 1; Day 2; Day 33D scapular kinematic was assessed pre- and-post thoracic spinal manipulation and sham interventions at first and second days. At the third day of evaluation the measure was assessed only once.

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026