An interventional study of Shoulder Mobilization and Stretching Exercise (SMSE) and Nunchaku Exercise in Adhesive Capsulitis, sponsored by Chinese University of Hong Kong. Recruiting at 1 site in Hong Kong. Open to participants aged 45 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-17.
Sponsored by Chinese University of Hong Kong · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if nunchaku exercise works to treat adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder in middle-aged or older adults. It will also learn about the adherence of this exercise intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare nunchaku exercise to standard exercises for alleviating frozen-shoulder to see if nunchaku exercise works to alleviate frozen shoulder.
Participants will:
Have their shoulder pain and movement checked three times:
Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, is a progressive fibro-inflammatory condition characterized by synovitis, capsular thickening, and collagen remodeling, leading to substantial restrictions in active and passive shoulder motion. These movement limitations commonly result in impaired sleep, difficulties in self-care, and reduced capacity for work and leisure activities. Although conservative rehabilitation is the standard of care, real-world effectiveness is frequently constrained by poor adherence to home-based exercises, often due to discomfort and exercise monotony.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of nunchaku exercise as a novel rehabilitative modality for individuals with adhesive capsulitis in the thawing phase. Nunchaku practice requires rhythmic, multiplanar arm motions, coordinated scapulohumeral control, and dynamic stabilization. These biomechanical characteristics align with therapeutic goals of end-range stretching, neuromuscular retraining, and rotator-cuff-based stabilization. The inherently rhythmic, skill-acquisition nature of nunchaku practice may also enhance intrinsic motivation and adherence relative to traditional exercise programs.
In this assessor-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group trial, 50 ethnic Chinese adults aged 45 years or older will be recruited and randomized 1:1 to either a standard shoulder mobilization and stretching exercise program (SMSE) or a nunchaku exercise program (NE). The nunchaku exercise program will adapt into a safe, soft-towel form suitable for older adults. Both interventions last 12 weeks and consist of twice-weekly, 60-minute, small-group sessions, supplemented by encouraged home practice. SMSE includes joint mobilization, end-range stretching, strengthening. NE follows the Level 1 nunchaku syllabus of the nunchaku system from the Hong Kong nunchaku association.
Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24. The primary outcome is the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes include the Visual Analog Scale for pain, Constant-Murley Score, pain-free range of motion, and intervention enjoyment (PACES-8). Adherence will be monitored through attendance, dropout rates, and weekly self-practice time.
This study aims to determine whether nunchaku exercise can improve adherence and produce superior clinical outcomes compared with standard rehabilitation in middle-aged and older adults with adhesive capsulitis.
383 studies on the registry are indexed under Bursitis; 111 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 50 is above the median of 44 across 346 interventional studies indexed under Bursitis.
Browse Bursitis studies →Chinese University of Hong Kong is the lead sponsor of 1,454 studies on the registry; 474 are open to participants now.
Of its 6 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Behavioral: Shoulder Mobilization and Stretching Exercise (SMSE)
Behavioral: Nunchaku Exercise
Participants in this group will be offered a 12-week rehabilitation program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. This program has been designed by a registered physiotherapist in accordance with the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong's self-care guidelines. Each session includes joint mobilization exercises, end-range stretching using a towel or stick, and muscle-strengthening and stabilizing exercises. The training will be conducted in small groups by trained exercise instructors, and you will be encouraged to continue practicing these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Participants randomized to the Nunchaku Exercise group will participate in a 12-week training program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. To prioritize safety and minimize the risk of injury, you will use a soft towel with a knot at each end to simulate nunchaku movements (Figure 1). The training focuses on the level one syllabus of the standard nunchaku system, which involves rhythmic multi-angle movements, such as figure-eight trajectories and alternating hand transfers. Classes will be conducted in small groups by certified coaches from the Hong Kong Nunchaku Association, and you will be encouraged to perform these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
SPADI will be used to assess shoulder pain and functional limitations during daily living activities. SPADI, comprising 5 items to assess pain and 8 to assess disability, is widely used to evaluate the negative impact of frozen shoulder. Its Chinese version has been validated in China with good internal consistency and reliability
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks
Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS)
The perception of pain during resting, and ordinary daily activities will be assessed using VAS. Participants will be instructed to draw a mark on a 10-cm line, with one end indicating no pain and the other indicating worst pain imaginable, to indicate their pain level
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks
Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
Overall shoulder function will be assessed using the CMS. CMS assesses 4 domains, including pain, how shoulder function affects daily activity, pain-free range of motion, and muscle strength. This instrument has been validated in China. This assessment will be conducted by a registered physiotherapist.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks
Pain-free Range of Motion (ROM)
The pain-free ROM of forward and lateral elevation during flexion and abduction will be measured using a goniometer. The assessment will be conducted by a registered physiotherapist.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks
Enjoyment of intervention
Enjoyment of intervention will be assessed using the Eight-Item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-8).
Time frame: From mid-intervention at 6 weeks to to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Apr 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 8 months after the start.
Of 217 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Bursitis, half reached primary completion within 10 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 17. This study's planned 8 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 217 studies reached it within 10 months; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 17.
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