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Comparison of Dynamic Ultrasound Visual Feedback to Manual Feedback on Scapular Stabilizer Activation and Change in the Subacromial Space in Persons With Pain During Shoulder Elevation

NCT07464639 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 26

Last updated 2026-03-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Purpose of the Study This study looks at whether using real-time ultrasound images as feedback can help people better activate two important shoulder muscles-the serratus anterior and lower trapezius-compared to standard verbal or visual feedback from a clinician. The study also examines whether this training carries over to everyday arm movements and whether it helps create more space inside the shoulder joint.

Why This Matters Shoulder pain is very common. One possible cause is poor movement or poor muscle control of the shoulder blade, which can reduce the space under the shoulder and lead to pain. The serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscles help the shoulder blade move correctly when lifting the arm. Improving how these muscles work may reduce pain and improve shoulder function.

How the Study Is Done

People with shoulder pain will take part in the study in a university laboratory. They will be randomly placed into one of two groups:

One group will receive muscle training with ultrasound images that show their muscles working in real time.

The other group will receive standard feedback without ultrasound.

Participants will perform specific shoulder exercises targeting the two muscles. Muscle activity will be measured before and after training using specialized sensors. The researchers will also see if the muscle training improves muscle use during a more functional movement, such as lifting the arm to shoulder height. In addition, ultrasound will be used to measure the space inside the shoulder joint before and after training.

Why This Is Important for Care If ultrasound feedback is shown to be effective, it could give physical therapists and other clinicians a new tool to help patients better activate key shoulder muscles. This may improve treatment options for people with shoulder pain, especially pain at the top of the shoulder.

Conditions

  • Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
  • Apical Shoulder Pain
  • Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Verbal and tactile feedback with exercise

Verbal and tactile feedback are provided to the subject to improve the quality of the exercise being performed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • California State University, Long Beach

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • George J Beneck, PT, PhD · California State University, Long Beach

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-30
Primary Completion
2027-10-15
Completion
2028-02-29

Countries

  • United States

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 NCT07464639 on ClinicalTrials.gov