Can sound waves boost shoulder recovery?
NCT ID NCT07688226
First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether adding therapeutic ultrasound to a standard exercise program helps people with shoulder impingement syndrome feel less pain and move better. About 120 adults aged 30 to 75 with shoulder pain will receive either active ultrasound or a placebo ultrasound, combined with exercises, three times a week for eight weeks. Researchers will measure pain, function, and range of motion at the start, after treatment, and six months later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- therapeutic ultrasound (continuous or pulsed) plus exercise
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could confirm that adding ultrasound to standard exercise provides extra pain relief and better shoulder function for people with shoulder impingement.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage trial. The ultrasound may not provide any benefit over exercise alone, and results may not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
120 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2017
- Finished
-
Dec 2020
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
30 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 30 and 75 years. * Clinical diagnosis compatible with subacromial pain syndrome. * Shoulder pain greater than 30 mm on the Visual Analog Scale. * Pain located in the anterolateral region of the shoulder, worsened during elevation of the upper limb. * At least three positive clinical tests among the following: Neer impingement sign, Hawkins-Kennedy impingement sign, painful arc between 60° and 120° of abduction, Jobe/empty can test, and resisted external rotation/infraspinatus test. * Ultrasonographic confirmation of findings compatible with subacromial pain syndrome. * Signed informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgery on the affected shoulder. * Suspected massive rotator cuff tear. * Positive drop-arm test. * Glenohumeral instability. * History of shoulder dislocation or subluxation. * Adhesive capsulitis/frozen shoulder. * Recent shoulder trauma. * Previous shoulder fracture with functional impairment. * Cervical radiculopathy with neurological signs. * Active inflammatory rheumatologic disease. * Uncontrolled hypertension. * Neoplasia. * Corticosteroid injection within the previous six months. * Physical therapy treatment for the shoulder within the previous six months. * Continuous use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication that could not be discontinued. * Contraindications to therapeutic ultrasound.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Shoulder impingement syndromes are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.