40 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

Electrical Stimulation + Exercise for Shoulder Pain

ZL
Overseen ByZiwei Luo, M.Sc.
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Lisa Griffin
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding functional electrical stimulation (FES) to a shoulder exercise program improves how the shoulder muscles work together in older adults with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. FES uses small electrical currents delivered through pads on the skin to help muscles contract.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does exercise combined with FES improve coordination between the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles more than exercise alone?

2. Does exercise combined with FES increase the space between the top of the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade (acromiohumeral distance), which may reduce pinching of the shoulder tendons?

Researchers will compare a group that receives resistance exercise with FES to a group that receives the same resistance exercise without FES.

Participants will:

1. Attend exercise sessions 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions)

2. Complete 4 testing visits: before training, after 2 weeks, after 4 weeks, and 4 weeks after training ends

3. At each testing visit, perform shoulder strength tasks while muscle activity is recorded with sensors on the skin and thin wire sensors placed in the muscle, have an ultrasound of the shoulder, and complete questionnaires about shoulder pain and function

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults who have shoulder pain related to rotator cuff problems or shoulder impingement. Participants should be able to attend exercise sessions and testing visits, and not have other major health issues that would prevent safe participation.

Inclusion Criteria

I have tested positive for shoulder impingement signs.
I have had pain in the front or side of my shoulder for over 2 weeks.
I feel pain when moving my arm between 60 and 120 degrees.

Exclusion Criteria

Metal implants or pacemakers
Aversion to needles
I am currently getting treatment or therapy for shoulder pain.
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What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Functional Electrical Stimulation
  • Progressive Resistance Training

Trial Overview

The study compares two groups: one does resistance exercises with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the shoulder muscles, while the other does the same exercises but receives sham (inactive) FES. The goal is to see if adding FES improves muscle coordination and reduces tendon pinching.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: FES + Resistance TrainingExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group II: Sham FES + Resistance TrainingPlacebo Group2 Interventions

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lisa Griffin

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
60+