Skip to content

The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

The Effect of Humeral Head Depressor Strengthening in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07228455
Enrollment
40
Registered
2025-11-14
Start date
2023-07-03
Completion date
2024-07-03
Last updated
2025-11-14

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

Conditions

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Brief summary

Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, to improve the shoulder biomechanics affected by the syndrome, an intervention group was compared with a control group. The exercise program applied to the intervention group is expected to improve the function of the shoulder complex.

Detailed description

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the shoulder joint. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program targeting humeral head depressor muscles on symptoms in individuals with SIS.Participants were randomly divided into study and control groups.Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month, who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder, who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and who were able to com-municate were included in the study. Individuals 1) Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity, 2) having neurological findings related to cervical disc herniation, 3) having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons, 4) having calcific tendonitis, 5) having undergone previous shoulder surgery and 6) Physical therapy-rehabilitation for the shoulder with the same complaints in the last 6 months, or 7) receiving corticosteroid injection were excluded from the study. While the control group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation, the study group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and tendon thickness measurements were evaluated by ultrasonography, while pain intensity was measured through VAS and McGill Questionnaire, upper extremity disability through DASH-T, and kinesiophobia through Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, respectively.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALHumeral Head Depressor Exercises

The Intervention group underwent a progressive resistance exercise program to strengthen the humeral head depressors and peri-articular muscles, including the rotator cuff. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour

BEHAVIORALStandard physical therapy

Participants in this group received standard physical therapy and rehabilitation as usually applied in routine care. Exercises were performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks, each session lasting approximately 1 hour. Outcomes were measured at the same time points as the intervention group.

Sponsors

Near East University, Turkey
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Masking description

Participants were blinded to their group assignment, but therapist were aware of the group allocations

Intervention model description

Participants were quasi-randomly and sequentially assigned to either an intervention group receiving humeral head depressor exercises or a control group receiving routine exercise therapy. Each group followed their respective program for the duration of the study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Volunteers who complained of shoulder pain for more than a month, * Who had limitation in passive movement compared to the other side shoulder, * Who had Neer impingement test, Hawkins test, Jobe supraspinatus test, and - * Who were able to com-municate were included in the study

Exclusion criteria

* Having any neurological condition affecting the upper extremity, * Having neuro-logical findings related to cervical disc herniation, * Having a full-thickness rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons, * Having calcific tendonitis, * Having undergone previous shoulder surgery, * Physical therapy-rehabilitation for the shoulder with the same complaints in the last 6 months, * Receiving corticosteroid injection were excluded from the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Acromio-humeral Distance (Ultrasonography, USG)Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)Baseline and 6 weeksPain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Pain Rating Index)Baseline and 6 weeksPain will be assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, specifically the Pain Rating Index (PRI). The total score ranges from 0 to 78, with higher scores indicating more severe pain.
Tendon Thickness MeasurmentBaseline and 6 weekSupraspinatus Tendon, Infraspinatus Tendon, subscapularis Tendon, Teres Minor Tendon, Long Head Biceps Tendon, Rotator Cuff group Tendons General Thicknesses were evaluated in all planes, by USG using a GE LogiqP6 Pro device and a linear transducer. Imaging was performed using standard shoulder sections while the patients were in a sitting position
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Work subscale)Baseline and 6 weeks.Kinesiophobia will also be assessed using the FABQ - Work subscale (items 6, 7, 9-12, 15). Score range: 0 to 42 (higher scores indicate greater fear-avoidance beliefs related to work).
Upper Extremity Disability Through (DASH-T)Baseline and 6 weeks
Kinesiophobia (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire - FABQ, Physical Activity subscale)Baseline and 6 weeksKinesiophobia will be assessed using the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) - Physical Activity subscale (items 2-5). Score range: 0 to 24 (higher scores indicate greater fear-avoidance beliefs related to physical activity). Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks.

Countries

Cyprus

Outcome results

None listed

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