The Effect of Shoulder Mobilization on Muscle Strength and Proprioception: a Randomized Double-blind Study

NCT06910332 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: ACU-FTR-AOA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized, double-blind study examines the acute effects of shoulder mobilization on muscle strength and proprioception in healthy individuals. Forty-eight participants (aged 18-25) were randomly assigned to either a mobilization or sham intervention group. Muscle strength and proprioception were assessed before and after treatment. The mobilization group received passive shoulder joint glides, while the sham group underwent a placebo procedure. The study aims to determine whether mobilization affects strength and proprioception immediately.

Conditions

Healthy Male and Female Subjects

Keywords

mobilization; proprioception; strength; shoulder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Proprioception

  Laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test for shoulder: A laser pointer is strapped 5 cm above the lateral epicondyle. Participants actively move their arm to a predefined position (90° flexion or abduction), and the laser projection is marked. After lowering their arm and closing their eyes, they attempt to replicate the same position. The difference between the initial and reproduced positions (in millimeters) is measured

  Before the intervention

• Proprioception

  Laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test for shoulder: A laser pointer is strapped 5 cm above the lateral epicondyle. Participants actively move their arm to a predefined position (90° flexion or abduction), and the laser projection is marked. After lowering their arm and closing their eyes, they attempt to replicate the same position. The difference between the initial and reproduced positions (in millimeters) is measured

  Immediately after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Strength

  Before the intervention

• Muscle Strength

  Immediately after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Mobilization Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive passive shoulder joint mobilization targeting the glenohumeral joint.

Other: Joint mobilization

Sham Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants undergo a placebo procedure where the practitioner mimics the mobilization technique without applying actual joint movement or distraction.

Other: Sham

Interventions

Joint mobilization OTHER

Participants receive passive shoulder joint mobilization on the dominant-side glenohumeral joint. The mobilization includes inferior, anterior, and posterior glide techniques, each performed for 1 minute at a frequency of 0.5 Hz, with a 30-second rest between each mobilization. The participant is positioned comfortably to support the joint's range of motion.

Also known as: Shoulder joint mobilization, Shoulder joint glides

Mobilization Group

Sham OTHER

In the sham intervention, the practitioner mimics the technique of shoulder mobilization but does not apply any actual movement or glide effect on the joint. The procedure is designed to closely resemble the real intervention in terms of duration, rhythm, and the practitioner's handling of the participant's shoulder. The practitioner will use superficial touch on the glenohumeral joint without applying any of the mobilizing forces necessary to move the joint.

Also known as: Sham mobilization, Sham shoulder mobilization

Sham Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy university students aged 18-25 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with orthopedic problems in the shoulder complex.
• Those who have undergone previous shoulder surgery.
• Participants with prior knowledge of joint mobilization techniques that could affect the sham intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Acibadem University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Acıbadem University Kerem Aydınlar Campus

Ataşehir, Istanbul, 34752, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

salicylhydroxamic acid

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Ali Ömer ACAR
• Organization: Acıbadem University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

aliomer.acar@acibadem.edu.tr

+90 216 500 44 44

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to either the shoulder mobilization group or the sham mobilization group, and they remain in their assigned group throughout the study. This design allows for a direct comparison of the acute effects of mobilization on muscle strength and proprioception.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2025
• First Posted: April 4, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: December 9, 2025
• Results First Posted: December 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: The IPD and supporting information will be made available starting from the date of publication of the study's results. The data will be accessible for 5 years from the publication date to allow for ample time for further analysis, replication studies, or meta-analysis by other researchers.
• Access Criteria: Who Can Access: * Researchers, academics, and institutional partners with a legitimate research purpose. * Regulatory agencies or health organizations. What They Can Access: * Anonymized IPD (muscle strength, proprioception, demographics). * Supporting information (study protocol, SAP,) How They Can Access: * Data will be shared upon contact with the study team. * Interested parties must request access, and data will be provided following review and approval.

Locations

TU (1)