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CompletedNCT07277868Updated Jan 13, 2026

Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

An interventional study of Standard Physiotherapy in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, sponsored by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-13.

Sponsored by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
60
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of scapular stabilization exercises on pain, shoulder function, and quality of life in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a scapular stabilization exercise program or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation program. Pain, functional outcome measures, and patient-reported quality of life will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study seeks to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises provides superior clinical benefit.

Read the detailed description

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation. Scapular dyskinesis plays a key role in the development and persistence of SIS by altering scapulohumeral rhythm and increasing mechanical stress on subacromial tissues. Scapular stabilization exercises are increasingly used to restore normal scapular mechanics, improve muscular control, and reduce pain, but the clinical effectiveness of these exercises compared to conventional rehabilitation programs remains unclear.

This prospective, single-blind randomized controlled study investigates the effects of a scapular stabilization exercise program on pain, functional outcomes, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with SIS. Participants are randomly allocated to either a scapular stabilization group or a conventional shoulder rehabilitation group. Pain (VAS), functional status (QuickDASH and SPADI), range of motion, and quality-of-life measures are assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. The study aims to determine whether adding scapular stabilization exercises to standard rehabilitation leads to superior clinical improvement compared to conventional therapy alone.

02

Conditions studied

  • Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Keywords

  • Exercise Therapy
  • Shoulder Rehabilitation
  • Scapular Stabilization
  • Functional Outcomes
03

In context

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

304 studies on the registry are indexed under Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; 55 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 60 is above the median of 54 across 261 interventional studies indexed under Shoulder Impingement Syndrome.

Browse Shoulder Impingement Syndrome studies →

Lead sponsor

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 216 studies on the registry; 34 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
  • Clinically diagnosed subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) based on:positive Neer test ,positive Hawkins-Kennedy test ,painful arc between 60°-120°,pain during resisted shoulder tests
  • Symptoms present for at least 4 weeks.
  • Ability to comply with a 12-week supervised rehabilitation program.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous shoulder surgery on the affected side.
  • Presence of full-thickness rotator cuff tear confirmed by ultrasound imaging.
  • Evidence of cervical radiculopathy or significant cervical spine pathology.
  • Advanced glenohumeral or acromioclavicular osteoarthritis.
  • History of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis).
  • Severe cardiopulmonary, neurological, or systemic conditions limiting physical activity.
  • Recent shoulder fracture or dislocation (\< 6 months).
  • Participation in another structured shoulder rehabilitation program within the last 3 months.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Inability to understand or follow instructions required for the intervention or assessments.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
60 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Standard Physiotherapy

    Participants in this arm receive standard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. No scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization exercises are included. All participants also receive a home exercise program for daily stretching and mobility exercises.

    Other: Standard Physiotherapy

  • Experimental
    Scapular Stabilization + Mobilization-Based Rehabilitation

    Participants receive the same standard physiotherapy as the control group, combined with a supervised scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation program. This structured 12-week protocol (3 sessions per week) includes passive scapular mobilization (10-12 minutes per session) and a three-phase stabilization exercise progression targeting scapular mechanics, muscle activation, strength, and neuromuscular control. A daily home exercise program is also provided.

    Other: Standard Physiotherapy

Interventions

  • OtherStandard Physiotherapy

    Standard physiotherapy consisting of electrotherapy modalities, range-of-motion exercises, and stretching exercises. The program is administered three times per week for 12 weeks. The intervention does not include any scapular-specific stabilization or mobilization techniques. All participants receive a home exercise program including daily stretching and mobility exercises.

    Also known as: Conventional Physiotherapy, Routine Physiotherapy

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 1. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score

    QuickDASH is an 11-item validated questionnaire that measures physical function and symptoms related to upper extremity disorders. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The primary outcome is the change in QuickDASH score from baseline to Week 12.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Modified Constant-Murley Score (CMS)

    The Constant-Murley Score assesses shoulder pain (15 points), daily activities (20 points), range of motion (40 points), and strength (25 points). Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function. The secondary outcome is the improvement in CMS over time.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

  2. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Pain intensity at rest is measured using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). The outcome represents the change in resting pain levels over time.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital
    Istanbul, 34303, Turkey (Türkiye)
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Karakuzu Gungor Z, Tan MS. Effect of scapular stabilization and mobilization-based rehabilitation on pain and shoulder function in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026 Apr 13;27(1):330. doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09760-7. PubMed 41975358 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because data sharing is not planned for this study.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 13, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07277868
Lead sponsor
Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Responsible party
Zeynep Karakuzu Güngör (Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 11, 2025
Start date
Aug 30, 2025
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2025
Completion
Dec 30, 2025
Last update
Jan 13, 2026

Study contacts

Zeynep Karakuzu Güngör
principal investigator · Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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