Combined Effect of Biofeedback and Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Children With Swimmer's Shoulder

NCT07067216 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/004998
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effect of biofeedback and scapular stabilization exercises on swimmer's shoulder in pediatric elite swimmers.

Conditions

Swimmer Shoulder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

  The SPADI uses a 10 cm visual analogue scale for each question, with anchors from "no pain/difficulty" to "worst pain imaginable/so difficult it required help." Pain (5 items) and disability (8 items) scores are calculated separately and converted to percentages: pain (/50), disability (/80), and total SPADI (/130). If questions are skipped, scores are divided by the total possible. The final score (0-100) reflects shoulder impairment, with higher scores indicating worse function. A change of at least 13 points is needed to be considered meaningful beyond measurement error.

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Digital Inclinometer

  6 weeks

• Digital goniometer

  6 weeks

• Kibler's Test (Lateral Scapular Slide Test)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Designed scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will consist of 20 participants, who will receive a designed scapular stabilization exercise program using pressure biofeedback. The program will be applied for one hour, two times per week, for 6 successive weeks.

Other: Designed scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback

Designed physical therapy program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will consist of 20 participants, who will receive a designed physical therapy program. The program will be applied for one hour, two times per week, for 6 successive weeks.

Other: Designed physical therapy program

Interventions

Designed scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback OTHER

Patients will attend 1-hour physical therapy sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks. The program will include posterior capsule mobilization, scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback (targeting lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, deep cervical flexors, and scapular retractors), and strengthening exercises using therabands: external rotation, shoulder diagonals, rows, and extensions. Additional training will involve physioball scapular exercises (up/down \& side/side), prone scapular strengthening (e.g., TYI, superman), and scapular-clock drills to improve mobility, proprioception, and stability.

Designed scapular stabilization using pressure biofeedback

Designed physical therapy program OTHER

Patients will receive cryotherapy and perform stretching exercises for the pectoralis minor and posterior capsule. Strengthening exercises using theraband will target the rotator cuff (especially external rotators) and scapular depressors/retractors. Scapular stabilization will be trained through prone exercises on a ball (T, Y, W) and on a plinth, including rowing, horizontal abduction, extension, superman, and TYI exercises. Additionally, patients will perform the scapular-clock exercise to enhance mobility, control, and proprioception.

Designed physical therapy program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 9 Years - 13 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Both sexes form 9-13 years old and active in competitive swimming clubs
• Swimming styles will be selected are butterfly and backstroke styles and the swimmers undergone an average minimum of 4 hours of swimming per week.
• All pediatric swimmers have shoulder pain.
• All of them are not allowed to practice swimming during study.

You may not qualify if:

• Pediatric swimmers who practice any sport related to overhead activities.
• Swimmers who had dermatological problems.
• Past history of upper limb fractures or surgeries.
• Swimmers who had any neurological condition (like winging scapula due to nerve damage).
• Swimmers who had dorsal scoliosis (s or c shaped).
• Swimmers who integrate in swimming competitions at the same time of study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

EL Hawar and Geziret Elward sporting clubs

Al Mansurah, Egypt

Location

Study Officials

• Nanees Essam Mohamed Salem, PhD

  Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY CHAIR

• Shimaa Mohamed Reffat, PhD

  Assistant Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Osama Ali Hamed Mohamed, M.Sc

CONTACT

+20 102 635 3854; Dr.osaali24888@gmail.com

Shimaa Mohamed Reffat, PhD

CONTACT

Shimaa_dpt@cu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 5, 2025
• First Posted: July 16, 2025
• Study Start: July 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 12, 2025
• Study Completion: October 26, 2025
• Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

EG (1)