Pilates takes on shoulder pain: new study shows promise
NCT ID NCT07265765
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether Pilates exercises can reduce shoulder pain and improve function in people with subacromial impingement syndrome, a common cause of shoulder pain. 34 adults with shoulder pain for at least three months took part. They were split into two groups: one did Pilates, the other did standard physical therapy. The study measured pain, shoulder function, and range of motion to see which approach worked better.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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34 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
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35 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients aged between 35-65 years old * Presence of shoulder pain for at least three months * Painful arc of movement during flexion or abduction or both * The patient will be diagnosed with SIS if the tests of the Neer, Empty Can, and Hawkins will be positive during the physical examination. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of any surgical procedure to the affected upper extremity (Heron et al., 2017 and). 2. History of trauma, fracture, instability and shoulder dislocation to the shoulder in less than 12 weeks previously (EDA et al., 2016). 3. History of presence of cervical symptoms (neck pain, numbness or tingling in the upper extremity) (Heron et al., 2017). 4. History of corticosteroid injection in the shoulder region in the last 6 months (Turgut et al., 2017). 5. None- cooperative participants or cognitive impairment (a communication problem) (EDA et al., 2016). 6. History of any systemic illness, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and related syndromes e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, diagnosed by physician (Heron et al., 2017 and Turgut et al., 2017). 7. Passive limitation of range of movement, stiff shoulder and less than 90 active elevation (Heron et al., 2017 and EDA et al., 2016). 8. Evidence of complete rotator cuff tear (positive drop arm test) (Heron et al., 2017).
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Faculty of Physical Therapy Cairo University
Cairo, Giza Governorate, 11432, Egypt
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Neck moves might boost shoulder recovery, small trial hopes