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HIIT for Inflammatory-driven Shoulder Pain.

NCT07275164 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-02-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This feasibility study investigates whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is feasible and acceptable for individuals with long-term shoulder pain where low-grade inflammation is suspected. Many patients do not recover fully with current local treatments, and systemic factors such as inflammation, and metabolic changes, additionally disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system often seem to play a role. HIIT is a time-efficient form of exercise that has been shown to improve inflammation and metabolic values and positively influence the balance of the nervous system. In this feasibility study, the investigators are enrolling 15 individuals with persistent shoulder pain (diagnosed with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain or frozen shoulder) with \>3 months of symptoms, and 15 individuals without shoulder complaints. All participants will undergo measurements of inflammatory levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, body composition, pain sensitivity tests, and complete questionnaires about autonomic complaints and quality of life. Participants with shoulder pain will also perform one personalized HIIT session on a cycle ergometer. The investigators will assess whether participants accept a systemic intervention for their shoulder pain, if they are cooperative, and how they feel about the session; additionally, any side effects will be recorded. The aim is to determine whether HIIT is practically feasible and safe for this group and whether there are indications that systemic factors such as inflammation and nervous system function are associated with persistent shoulder pain. The outcome will determine whether follow-up research with a larger study is worthwhile.

Conditions

  • Chronic Shoulder Pain
  • Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis
  • Shoulder Pain

Interventions

OTHER

High intensity interval training (HIIT)

One 20-minute HIIT session (5x1 min at VO₂max with 1 min recovery at 50% VO₂max) on cycle ergometer.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universiteit Antwerpen

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Michel Mertens, PhD · Universiteit Antwerpen

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-12-10
Primary Completion
2026-04-01
Completion
2026-10-31

Countries

  • Belgium

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07275164 on ClinicalTrials.gov