An interventional study of Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization and Pragmatic Capsular Stretch in Posterior Capsule Tightness, Joint Diseases and Joint Range of Motion, sponsored by University of Faisalabad. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 22 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-10.
Sponsored by University of Faisalabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Many athletes who play overhead sports like cricket develop tightness in the back of the shoulder. This causes pain and makes it hard to lift the arm. This study will compare two common physical therapy treatments: Kaltenborn joint mobilization (a specific manual therapy glide) versus a Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch (a specific stretching technique). We want to see which one works better for pain, range of motion, and daily function. 28 athletes will be treated for 4 weeks, and we will measure their progress using a goniometer and the SPADI questionnaire.
This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Participants aged 22-40 years with a positive GIRD test (indicating posterior capsule tightness) will be recruited from pedal courts and clinics in Faisalabad. After obtaining informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups using a random number generator.
Group A (Experimental): Receives Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch. The participant lies side-lying. The therapist stabilizes the scapula and applies medial rotation, extension, and traction for 30 seconds, repeated to achieve 15 minutes total per session.
Group B (Active Comparator): Receives Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization (Posterior Glide). The participant is positioned with the shoulder abducted and externally rotated. The therapist applies a Grade III posterior glide with lateral distraction, sustained at end-range for 15 minutes.
Both groups receive 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total). Outcome measures (Pain via SPADI, ROM via Goniometer, Function via SPADI) are taken at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 20 using independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests depending on normality.
386 studies on the registry are indexed under Joint Diseases; 64 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 34 is below the median of 102 across 251 interventional studies indexed under Joint Diseases.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in this arm receive the Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch. The participant is positioned in a comfortable side-lying posture on the unaffected side. To achieve targeted stretching of the posterior shoulder tissues and to prevent compensatory movements, the therapist supports the scapula in a protracted position with one hand. The therapist uses the other hand to administer a combination of medial rotation, extension, and longitudinal traction at the glenohumeral joint. The leverage required to execute the maneuver successfully is provided by the semi-flexed elbow. To improve muscular relaxation and capsular stretch, the stretch is held for 30 seconds and followed by at least three deep breaths, each held in full inspiration for 8-10 seconds. This stretch is repeated multiple times to achieve a total treatment duration of 15 minutes per session. This intervention is performed 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions).
Procedure: Pragmatic Capsular Stretch
Participants in this arm receive Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization (Posterior Glide). With the shoulder at the end range of abduction and external rotation, the participant is positioned for posterior mobilization in the starting posture. While performing the posterior stretch mobilization to the end range, a lateral humeral distraction is maintained in the midrange position. The shoulder is positioned in the final range of flexion and external rotation for advancement. While the posterior stretch mobilization is performed to the end range, a lateral humeral distraction remains in its intermediate position. For a minimum of one minute, the end-range position is maintained. This stretch is repeated until a total of fifteen minutes of sustained posterior mobilization are achieved per session. This intervention is performed 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions).
Procedure: Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization
Kaltenborn Grade III sustained posterior glide with lateral distraction. Applied to the glenohumeral joint for 15 minutes per session, 3x/week for 4 weeks.
Side-lying stretch combining medial rotation, extension, and traction. Held for 30 seconds with deep breathing, repeated for 15 minutes total per session, 3x/week for 4 weeks.
Change in Pain
Measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) - Pain subscale. Score range 0-100 (higher = more pain).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Range of Motion
Measured using a universal goniometer. Specifically Glenohumeral Internal Rotation (GIR) and Horizontal Adduction (HA) range in degrees.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Functional Disability
Measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) - Disability subscale. Score range 0-100 (higher = more disability).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Plan to share: No
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University of Faisalabad