Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms of Exercise for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Led by University of Southern California · Updated on 2026-02-03
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common shoulder condition that causes pain and disability, often linked to repetitive motion or injury. This condition is part of subacromial pain syndrome, and many patients do not fully recover within 12 to 18 months. Researchers are studying the effects of therapeutic exercise on this condition, focusing on brain mechanisms that may influence chronic pain and treatment response. The goal is to better understand how exercise impacts pain and function in people with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Participants will receive a therapeutic exercise program involving resistance and mobility training supervised by trained professionals over eight weeks. The exercise includes home exercises and in-person or virtual visits 2 to 3 times per week. The program progresses through phases targeting shoulder movements and muscle stabilization, with exercise intensity adjusted based on pain and difficulty reported by participants. Adherence to the exercise is tracked daily via text and a mobile app. During the study, participants will be assessed at multiple time points up to one year using the Pennsylvania Shoulder Score to measure shoulder function and pain. Additional evaluations include brain imaging (fMRI), shoulder movement and muscle activity analysis, pain sensitivity tests, and questionnaires on psychological factors related to pain. These assessments help researchers understand how exercise affects both physical and brain-related aspects of shoulder pain. The total participation duration can last up to 52 weeks with ongoing follow-up assessments.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Therapeutic Exercise for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy / Subacromial Pain Syndrome - Outcomes and Mechanisms
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Clinical diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinopathy confirmed by at least 3 of 5 specific shoulder tests: Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer, painful arc, empty can, external rotation resistance test
- Pain level of 3 or higher on a numeric pain rating scale
- Age between 18 and 45 years
- Ability to read, sign, and date the informed consent document
- Body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less
You will not qualify if you...
- Difficulty understanding or completing questionnaires
- Inability to attend study sessions
- Prior surgery of the shoulder, neck, or thoracic spine
- Main complaint of neck or thoracic pain
- Diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis
- Serious spinal or shoulder conditions such as infections, arthrosis, rheumatic disorders, fractures, shoulder dislocation, osteoporosis, or tumors
- Central nervous system issues including hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, muscle wasting, unsteadiness, nystagmus, vision loss, altered taste, or pathological reflexes
- Two or more neurological signs of nerve root compression
- Shoulder or arm pain caused by cervical spine tests
- Primary adhesive capsulitis with significant loss of shoulder motion
- Presence of devices or conditions unsafe for MRI, such as pacemakers
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 - 8 weeks
Participants engage in therapeutic exercise involving resistance and mobility training with instruction from a trained health professional. This includes a combination of home exercises and 2 to 3 in-person or virtual visits per week to progress the exercise program over 8 weeks.
2 to 3 visits per week (in-person or virtual)
Duration - Up to 44 weeks after treatment
Participants have periodic assessments to monitor outcomes such as shoulder function and pain up to one year after treatment.
Visits at 26 weeks and 52 weeks (in-person or virtual)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Clinical Biomechanics Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research Laboratory
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90089
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Lori A Michener, PT, ATC, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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