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Effect of Isometric Exercise on Pain Perception in Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain

Effect of Isometric Exercise on Pain Perception in Subjects With Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03675399
Enrollment
35
Registered
2018-09-18
Start date
2019-06-01
Completion date
2021-04-15
Last updated
2021-04-30

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

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Keywords

isometric exercise, rotator cuff, pain threshold

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of an acute bout of isometric exercise of the shoulder external rotator muscles above and below pain threshold on pain intensity, pain threshold, conditioned pain modulation and pain free force in external rotation. To evaluate the results of the exercise, the subjects will be assessed at pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and after and 45 minutes after each experimental condition.

Detailed description

The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of an acute bout of isometric exercise of the shoulder external rotator muscles above and below pain threshold on pain intensity, pain threshold, conditioned pain modulation and pain free force in external rotation. It will consist of a randomized three-treatment parallel-design study. The sample will consist of subjects with rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP). Once the sample is selected, subjects will participate in three experimental sessions, which will occur in a randomized order: two exercise sessions (supra-threshold and infra-threshold isometric exercise) and one control session. In the first session, information regarding clinical and demographical aspects will be collected. A washout period of approximately 48 hours will separate each of the experimental sessions. To evaluate the results of the exercise, the subjects will be assessed at pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and 45 minutes after each experimental condition. Pain intensity, Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT), Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and pain free isometric strength (PFIS) will be measured.

Interventions

OTHERSupra-threshold isometric exercise

The supra-threshold intensity will be stablished at 120% of participant's PFIS pre-session measurement (20% above the individual's pain threshold).

OTHERInfra-threshold isometric exercise

The infra-threshold intensity will be stablished at 80% of participant's PFIS pre-session measurement (20% bellow the individual's pain threshold).

Sponsors

University of Valencia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Masking description

Exercise sessions were delivered by a physiotherapist who was not involved in the assessments.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* aged 18-80 years (likelihood of patients \> 80 having degenerative changes in the shoulder is increased) * pain localised to the proximal anterolateral shoulder region * positive for pain on at least one of the following three impingement tests: Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer's, Jobe's * positive for pain on resisted external rotation and/or abduction.

Exclusion criteria

* shoulder surgery within last 6 months * reasons to suspect systemic pathology including inflammatory disorders, cervical repeated movement testing affects shoulder pain and/or range of movement, passive external rotation deficit greater (less than 30º or a range of motion reduction of 50% or more as compared to the contralateral side), upper limb tension test A for cervical radiculopathy * atraumatic degenerative rotator cuff tear based on the cluster of clinical tests (painful arc, drop arm test, and marked weakness into ER all three positive)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain intensityBaselineShoulder pain intensity reported by the patient will be assessed using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100, 0=minimum score, 100=maximum score). Higher values represent a better outcome (less pain).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT)Baseline, immediately post-intervention and 45 minutes post-interventionPPTs will be recorded using an electronic algometer at the ipsilateral m. infraspinatus, the contralateral resting m. infraspinatus and the contralateral resting m. quadriceps. Higher values represent a better outcome.
Conditioned pain modulation (CPM)BaselineCPM will be tested using the upper extremity submaximal effort tourniquet test.
Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)BaselineMVIC will be measured at both m. infraspinatus and m. quadriceps of the non-affected side using a digital force gauge.
Pain free isometric strength/threshold (PFIS)BaselinePFIS will be assessed at m. infraspinatus of the affected shoulder

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 23, 2026