Vibration Therapy and IASTM in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
NCT ID: NCT07291843
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Study Results
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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RECRUITING
NA
48 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-12-10
2026-02-15
Brief Summary
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A total of 48 participants aged 40-60 years with MRI-confirmed SAIS will be randomly assigned into three groups: (1) Vibration Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy, (2) IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy, and (3) Conventional Physiotherapy (Control). All interventions will be administered three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes include pain intensity (VAS), shoulder range of motion (Goniometer Pro app), proprioception at 60° of flexion and abduction, functional status (DASH), and quality of life (RC-QoL).
The study aims to determine whether adding vibration therapy or IASTM to standard physiotherapy provides additional short-term benefits in reducing pain, improving joint mobility, enhancing proprioceptive acuity, and increasing functional capacity in individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome.
Detailed Description
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Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a manual therapy technique that uses ergonomically designed stainless steel tools to provide controlled mechanical stimulation to soft tissues. IASTM has recently gained attention due to its ability to increase soft-tissue extensibility, promote myofascial release, and enhance joint range of motion. Similarly, vibration-based interventions-including percussion massage therapy-have been shown to improve circulation, decrease pain, reduce muscle stiffness, and enhance mobility through mechanical oscillation and stimulation of sensory receptors. Despite their growing popularity, limited evidence exists regarding the direct comparison of vibration therapy and IASTM in individuals with SAIS.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding vibration therapy or IASTM to conventional physiotherapy provides superior outcomes compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. A total of 48 adults aged 40-60 years with MRI-confirmed SAIS will be randomly allocated into three groups: (1) Vibration Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy, (2) IASTM + Conventional Physiotherapy, and (3) Conventional Physiotherapy (Control). All interventions will be delivered three times per week for four weeks. Vibration therapy will be applied using a percussion massage device (33 Hz) to the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles along the origin-to-insertion path. IASTM will be applied using standardized sweep and brush techniques at a 45° angle to both anterior and posterior shoulder muscle groups. The control group will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of ultrasound, TENS, cryotherapy, passive stretching, Codman exercises, wand exercises, finger ladder exercises, and progressive strengthening, supervised by a physiotherapist.
Outcome measures include pain intensity (VAS), shoulder range of motion measured with the Goniometer Pro mobile application, proprioception assessed at 60° flexion and abduction, functional disability evaluated using the DASH questionnaire, and shoulder-related quality of life measured with the RC-QoL scale. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the 4-week intervention period.
This study seeks to contribute to the current literature by directly comparing two frequently used soft-tissue interventions-vibration therapy and IASTM-within the SAIS population. The findings are expected to inform clinicians about the potential added benefits of combining these modalities with conventional physiotherapy to optimize pain reduction, functional improvement, and neuromuscular outcomes in individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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Conventional Physiotherapy
All participants will receive a total of 12 sessions of conventional therapy and exercise, administered three days per week for four weeks. The conventional therapy program will include 8 minutes of ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and 15 minutes of cryotherapy.
The exercise program will consist of passive stretching performed by the physiotherapist, as well as supervised exercises including Codman pendulum exercises, wand-assisted exercises, finger ladder exercises, and strengthening exercises tailored to the patient's condition. All exercises will be applied progressively based on the participant's tolerance and clinical status.
Conventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy consisting of 8 minutes of therapeutic ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS, 15 minutes of cryotherapy, and a supervised exercise program including passive stretching, Codman pendulum exercises, wand exercises, finger ladder exercises, and progressive strengthening. The program is delivered three times per week for four weeks.
Vibration Therapy Group
Participants in this group will receive vibration therapy in addition to conventional physiotherapy methods. The vibration application (33 Hz) will be administered using a percussion massage device (Compex Fixx 2.0) to the M. Deltoideus, M. Supraspinatus, M. Infraspinatus, and M. Teres Minor muscles. The treatment will be applied along the origin-to-insertion line of each muscle for 3 minutes per muscle.
The device will be moved in a straight longitudinal path along the muscle fibers, progressing from proximal to distal and then returning to the proximal segment. Each stroke will last approximately five seconds. Vibration therapy will be applied using the soft-head attachment of the percussion device.
The vibration intervention will be carried out three times per week for a total of four weeks.
Percussion massage therapy device
Vibration therapy was applied using a handheld percussion massage gun (Compex Fixx 2.0) delivering vibration at 33 Hz with a soft-head attachment. The device was moved longitudinally along the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) in a proximal-to-distal direction. Each muscle was treated for approximately 3 minutes per session. The intervention was delivered three times per week for four weeks.
Conventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy consisting of 8 minutes of therapeutic ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS, 15 minutes of cryotherapy, and a supervised exercise program including passive stretching, Codman pendulum exercises, wand exercises, finger ladder exercises, and progressive strengthening. The program is delivered three times per week for four weeks.
IASTM Group
In the IASTM group, participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization three days per week for four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions, following the conventional physiotherapy treatment. The technique will be applied with the participant in a supine position to the anterior muscle groups, including the subscapularis, anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and biceps brachii muscles. The participant will then be placed in a prone position to treat the posterior muscle groups, including the upper trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles. Each muscle group will receive treatment at a 45-degree angle using sweep and brush techniques, consisting of 20 seconds of parallel strokes and 20 seconds of perpendicular strokes.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization device
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was performed using specially designed stainless-steel tools applied at a 45-degree angle to the anterior and posterior shoulder muscles. Sweep and brush techniques were used, consisting of approximately 20 seconds of parallel strokes and 20 seconds of perpendicular strokes per muscle group. The intervention was administered three times per week for four weeks following the conventional physiotherapy session.
Conventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy consisting of 8 minutes of therapeutic ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS, 15 minutes of cryotherapy, and a supervised exercise program including passive stretching, Codman pendulum exercises, wand exercises, finger ladder exercises, and progressive strengthening. The program is delivered three times per week for four weeks.
Interventions
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Percussion massage therapy device
Vibration therapy was applied using a handheld percussion massage gun (Compex Fixx 2.0) delivering vibration at 33 Hz with a soft-head attachment. The device was moved longitudinally along the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) in a proximal-to-distal direction. Each muscle was treated for approximately 3 minutes per session. The intervention was delivered three times per week for four weeks.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization device
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was performed using specially designed stainless-steel tools applied at a 45-degree angle to the anterior and posterior shoulder muscles. Sweep and brush techniques were used, consisting of approximately 20 seconds of parallel strokes and 20 seconds of perpendicular strokes per muscle group. The intervention was administered three times per week for four weeks following the conventional physiotherapy session.
Conventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy consisting of 8 minutes of therapeutic ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS, 15 minutes of cryotherapy, and a supervised exercise program including passive stretching, Codman pendulum exercises, wand exercises, finger ladder exercises, and progressive strengthening. The program is delivered three times per week for four weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Men and women between 40 and 60 years of age
* Presence of symptoms for more than one month
Exclusion Criteria
* Presence of an open wound on the arm
* Existing infection
* Inflammatory joint disease
* Shoulder osteoarthritis
* Presence of rheumatic disease
* Malignant or benign tumors
* Inability to tolerate vibration therapy
40 Years
60 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Emre DANSUK
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Emre DANSUK
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
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Emre Dansuk, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Medipol University
Locations
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Emre Dansuk
Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Burak Menek, PhD
Role: primary
Emre Dansuk, PhD
Role: backup
Other Identifiers
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E-10840098-202.3.02-7891
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id