Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function

NCT ID: NCT06447493

Last Updated: 2025-08-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-08-15

Study Completion Date

2026-07-15

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. There are studies that look at the clinical effects of the technique and/or compare it to other techniques; however, measuring the extent to which Spencer's technique, or this modified technique, improves tissue stiffness and blood flow has never been written in the literature. This study will serve as a proof of concept that this technique improves tissue stiffness, blood flow, and mobility of the shoulder join as well as the nearby areas. Using ultrasound, the investigators will measure tissue stiffness and blood flow and will analyze the mobility of the shoulder joint using a Vicon motion capture system.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Shoulder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Two by Two cross-over trial. Measurements will be taken on both shoulders with only the dominant shoulder receiving osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The order in which the measurements and OMT treatment is performed will be randomized. The cross-over design allows for the opportunity to estimate 3 components, the possible effect of ultrasound measurement on the outcomes even when OMT is not performed, the combined effect of OMT and ultrasound measurements on outcomes, and an adjusted estimate OMT treatment effect removing any ultrasound effects if those effects exist. Change scores for all outcomes will be calculated per shoulder and then a comparison between change scores will be conducted using a paired design.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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OMT Intervention, then Rest

10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the dominant shoulder, apply OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on non-dominant shoulder, a rest that is equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the non-dominant shoulder.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)

Intervention Type OTHER

Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.

Rest

Intervention Type OTHER

10 minute rest period.

Rest, then OMT Intervention

10 subjects will be randomized to begin with the non-dominant shoulder. Investigators will measure baseline outcomes on the non-dominant shoulder, a rest period equivalent to the time needed for OMT treatment, measure post treatment outcomes on non-dominant shoulder, a 5-minute rest period as a washout period, then proceed to measure baseline measures on dominant shoulder, provide OMT treatment, ending with post measurements on the dominant shoulder.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)

Intervention Type OTHER

Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.

Rest

Intervention Type OTHER

10 minute rest period.

Interventions

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Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)

Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.

Intervention Type OTHER

Rest

10 minute rest period.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

• male and female subjects 18-50 years old

Exclusion Criteria

* prior shoulder surgery or injury to the reported dominant throwing arm
* shoulder pain in the reported dominant throwing arm within the last 6 months
* diagnosis cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck
* connective tissue or muscle disorders
* known pregnancy
* tobacco use
* known diabetes or prediabetes
* allergy to ultrasound gel (propylene glycol)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Daniel Cawley

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn

Auburn, Alabama, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Daniel Cawley, DC, MSHS, MS

Role: CONTACT

334-442-4105

Facility Contacts

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Daniel Cawley, DC, MSHS, MS

Role: primary

334-442-4105

References

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Knebl JA, Shores JH, Gamber RG, Gray WT, Herron KM. Improving functional ability in the elderly via the Spencer technique, an osteopathic manipulative treatment: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2002 Jul;102(7):387-96.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12138953 (View on PubMed)

Iqbal M, Riaz H, Ghous M, Masood K. Comparison of Spencer muscle energy technique and Passive stretching in adhesive capsulitis: A single blind randomized control trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 Dec;70(12(A)):2113-2118. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.23971.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33475581 (View on PubMed)

Haveela, B., Praveen Dowle, and P. Chandrasekhar.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Yamaguchi K, Sher JS, Andersen WK, Garretson R, Uribe JW, Hechtman K, Neviaser RJ. Glenohumeral motion in patients with rotator cuff tears: a comparison of asymptomatic and symptomatic shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2000 Jan-Feb;9(1):6-11. doi: 10.1016/s1058-2746(00)90002-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10717855 (View on PubMed)

Kunz P, Mick P, Gross S, Schmidmaier G, Zeifang F, Weber MA, Fischer C. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) as Predictor for Early Retear and Functional Outcome After Supraspinatus Tendon Repair. J Orthop Res. 2020 May;38(5):1150-1158. doi: 10.1002/jor.24535. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31769543 (View on PubMed)

Matava MJ, Purcell DB, Rudzki JR. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Am J Sports Med. 2005 Sep;33(9):1405-17. doi: 10.1177/0363546505280213.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16127127 (View on PubMed)

Lawrence RL, Moutzouros V, Bey MJ. Asymptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears. JBJS Rev. 2019 Jun;7(6):e9. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.18.00149.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31246863 (View on PubMed)

Coren S. Measurement of handedness via self-report: the relationship between brief and extended inventories. Percept Mot Skills. 1993 Jun;76(3 Pt 1):1035-42. doi: 10.2466/pms.1993.76.3.1035.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8321574 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2023-061

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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