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RecruitingNCT07576426Updated Sep 24, 2026

Effects of Motor Control Retraining and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Females With Scapular Dyskinesia.

An interventional study of motor control retraining and scapular stabilization exercises in Scapular Dyskinesis, sponsored by Riphah International University. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to female participants aged 20 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-24.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 7 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Oct 2025, registered May 2026).
  • Started Oct 2025; still recruiting 1 year 1 month later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
34
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 40 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

To evaluate the combined effects of motor control retraining and scapular stabilization exercises on pain reduction, muscle strength improvement, and functional enhancement in breastfeeding females diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia, and to determine the effectiveness of this combined approach in addressing their musculoskeletal impairments.

Read the detailed description

This will be a randomized controlled trial involving 60 breastfeeding females aged 20-40 years diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the intervention group receiving a combined program of motor control retraining and scapular stabilization exercises, and the control group receiving standard physical therapy care. The intervention will be administered three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures will include the Numeric Pain Rate Scale (NPRS) for pain, Manual Muscle testing for muscle strength, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire for functional assessment. The data will be analyzing by the version of SPSS 25.

02

Conditions studied

  • Scapular Dyskinesis

Keywords

  • dyskinesia
  • breast feeding
  • women
  • posture
  • postpartum
03

In context

Dyskinesias

179 studies on the registry are indexed under Dyskinesias; 24 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 34 is close to the median of 36 across 139 interventional studies indexed under Dyskinesias.

Browse Dyskinesias studies →

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,193 studies on the registry; 650 are open to participants now.

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

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

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.

Inclusion criteria

  • Currently breastfeeding (minimum 3 months postpartum)
  • Diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia (clinical tests such as the scapular dyskinesis test)
  • Complaints of shoulder or upper back pain during or after breastfeeding

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of shoulder surgery or recent trauma to the shoulder or spine
  • Neurological disorders affecting upper limb function (cervical radiculopathy).
  • Musculoskeletal conditions unrelated to scapular dyskinesia (rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder)
  • Participation in any shoulder rehabilitation program in the past 3 months.
  • to exercise (severe cardiopulmonary conditions or acute infections).
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

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.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
34 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    motor control retraining & scapular stabilization exercises

    Motor control retraining is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to restore proper movement patterns by enhancing the coordination, timing, and sequencing of muscle activation. These exercises perform in Supine line, prone line \& side lying position.Scapular stabilization exercises can be effectively performed in clinical physiotherapy settings, home environments, or fitness centers, depending on the patient's comfort, supervision needs, and availability of equipment such as resistance bands or light dumbbells.

    Other: motor control retraining · Other: scapular stabilization exercises

  • Active comparator
    motor control retraining

    Motor control retraining is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to restore proper movement patterns by enhancing the coordination, timing, and sequencing of muscle activation

    Other: motor control retraining

Interventions

  • Othermotor control retraining

    the motor control retraining protocol will be performed three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The intensity remains low. Th type of activity consists of targeted motor control exercises focusing on the scapula and shoulder girdle. Over a period of eight weeks, participants will complete about 24 sessions in total

  • Otherscapular stabilization exercises

    Frequency refers to performing the exercises 3 times per week, Intensity involves using low to moderate resistance (resistance bands or light weights), adjusted as the patient's strength improves, Time consists of 2 to 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for each exercise, Type includes specific movements targeting the scapular stabilizers, such as wall slides, scapular retractions, serratus punches, prone Y and T exercises, and dynamic hugs.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale

    The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a simple and effective tool used to assess the intensity of pain experienced by an individual. Scoring is typically done on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain, 1-3 represents mild pain, 4-6 indicates moderate pain, and 7 10 denotes severe to the worst possible pain. This scale provides a quick, reliable, and sensitive measure of pain, making it valuable for both clinical assessment and research purposes.

    Time frame: 8th week

  2. Manual Muscle Testing

    Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a widely used clinical assessment tool to evaluate the strength of individual muscles or muscle groups based on the examiner's application of resistance.Scoring in MMT is typically based on a six-point scale from 0 to 5, where each grade reflects a different level of muscle function

    Time frame: 8th week

  3. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire

    The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire is a standardized self-report tool used to measure physical function and symptoms in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. It assesses the impact of arm, shoulder, or hand problems on the ability to perform certain daily activities, as well as the severity of symptoms such as pain, weakness, and stiffness. The DASH is widely used in both clinical practice and research due to its high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to changes in upper limb function

    Time frame: 8th week

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Gangaram Hospital
    Lahore, Punjab Province 6400, Pakistan
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Lafrance S, Ouellet P, Alaoui R, Roy JS, Lewis J, Christiansen DH, Dubois B, Langevin P, Desmeules F. Motor Control Exercises Compared to Strengthening Exercises for Upper- and Lower-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials. Phys Ther. 2021 Jul 1;101(7):pzab072. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab072. PubMed 33609357 ↗
  • da Silva Araújo G, Monteiro ER, da Silva Telles LG, de Almeida RA, Evangelista AL, Leitão L, et al. Acute effect of stretching performed before a resistance exercise session using different intervals on maximum repetitions performance in recreationally trained adults. Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación. 2024(52):304-10.
  • Shaik A, Khan S, Shaik A, Shaik KK. Advancements in Postpartum Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024 Aug 5;16(8):e66165. doi: 10.7759/cureus.66165. eCollection 2024 Aug. PubMed 39233964 ↗
  • Peteraitis T, Smedes F. Scapula motor control training with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in chronic subacromial impingement syndrome: A case report. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Jul;24(3):165-171. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.03.005. Epub 2020 Mar 15. PubMed 32825984 ↗
  • Ratajczak M, Gornowicz R. The influence of breastfeeding factors on the prevalence of back and neck pain: data from an online survey. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Aug 29;25(1):675. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07785-4. PubMed 39210354 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 24, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07576426
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 8, 2026
Start date
Oct 1, 2025
Primary completion
Oct 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Oct 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 24, 2026

Study contacts

imran amjad
Contact
imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
03324390125
hina gul, PhD*
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

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

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