Actively Recruiting
Blood Flow Restriction Versus Pilates Exercises in Treatment of Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Led by Cairo University · Updated on 2026-05-27
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a common cause of shoulder pain caused by narrowing of the space around shoulder tendons, leading to pain, weakness, and limited movement. Muscle weakness, especially in the rotator cuff and scapular muscles, plays an important role. This trial compares two exercise approaches, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and Pilates exercises, along with conventional therapy, to evaluate their effects on pain, function, movement range, strength, and proprioception in patients with painful SAIS. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: low-load resistance training combined with BFR applied via cuffs on the upper arm, Pilates exercises including mat work and resistance bands, or standard Cool's shoulder exercises. Each group will train three times per week for four weeks in 45-minute sessions. Exercises will be progressively adjusted based on participant tolerance and performance. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline, week 2, and week 4 for shoulder pain and function using SPADI, range of motion, muscle strength, and shoulder proprioception. These measurements will help determine the effectiveness of the exercise methods. The study is sponsored by Cairo University and will run until January 2027.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training Versus Pilates on Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 55 years
- Both genders with BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 Kg/m2
- Clinical diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome with at least 3 positive shoulder tests
- Symptoms lasting between 4 and 12 weeks (subacute or chronic phase)
- Shoulder pain level between 3 and 8 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
You will not qualify if you...
- History of shoulder surgery, traumatic injury, or systemic diseases
- Presence of cervical problems, cervical disc issues, or radioculopathy
- Pregnancy
- Acute stage of subacromial impingement syndrome
- Full thickness tear confirmed by an orthopaedist
- Received physical therapy sessions in the past 3 months to avoid treatment confounders
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants undergo their assigned exercise program three times per week for 4 weeks. This includes either low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction, supervised Pilates exercises, or standard Cool's shoulder exercises, each session lasting 45 minutes and progressively adjusted based on participant tolerance and performance.
Approximately 12 exercise sessions over 4 weeks
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants are assessed for shoulder pain, function, range of motion, muscle strength, and proprioception at baseline, week 2, and week 4 to monitor progress and effects of the interventions.
3 visits (baseline, week 2, week 4)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Faculty of physical therapy, Rashid university
Rāshid, Egypt
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Manar Tarek Abdelnaser, Demonstrator
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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