New hope for stroke shoulder pain: radiofrequency vs ultrasound
NCT ID NCT07131943
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two non-invasive therapies—radiofrequency (TECAR) and ultrasound—for treating shoulder pain in 45 stroke survivors. Participants had shoulder pain for at least 3 months after their stroke. Researchers measured pain, range of motion, and daily function to see which therapy worked better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Radiofrequency (TECAR) therapy and ultrasound therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that radiofrequency therapy is a better option than ultrasound for easing shoulder pain and improving movement in stroke survivors.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 45 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It compares two existing treatments, so no breakthrough is expected.
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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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45 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Finished
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Nov 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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30 to 60 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.
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: * Fourty-five hemiplegic patients with shoulder pain post- stroke from both sexes will participate in this study. * The patients will be older than 18 years old (30-60 years old) * The presence of sub-acute shoulder pain (more than 3 months). * Sub-acute stroke survivors (3 months post-stroke). * score of 1\|1+ points on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) on shoulder joint. * Stage 2 or above according to Brunnstrom function assessment of shoulder joint * All conducted patients experienced a single stroke during the last 3 months with cognitive capacity that will enable them to comprehend and follow the instructions (Mini-Mental Scale score \> 24). Exclusion Criteria: * The following patients will be excluded from the study patients with: * Bilateral adhesive capsulitis * Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, malignancies, heart diseases, infections, coagulation disorders, full rotator cuff tears * A history of recent shoulder surgery, neurological problems involving the upper extremity, shoulder joint osteoarthritis * Upper extremity fractures, cervical radiculopathy * Impaired sensation, having a heart pacemaker, pregnancy * Injuries in the upper limbs * Other neurological diseases or cancer * Osteosynthesis material or pacemaker * Botulinum toxin or antispastic treatment 3 months prior to studying. * Any contraindication to massage and Tecar as skin infections, inflammatory vascular diseases, or acute inflammation.
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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 Delta University
Gamasa, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.