Vibration Therapy and IASTM in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

NCT07291843 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-202.3.02-7891
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled clinical study aims to investigate the effects of vibration therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), when added to conventional physiotherapy, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functional status, and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). SAIS is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and is frequently associated with impaired scapular kinematics, rotator cuff dysfunction, soft tissue tightness, and decreased shoulder mobility. 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.

Conditions

Impingement Syndrome; Impingement Shoulder; Shoulder Pain

Keywords

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder Pain; Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM); Vibration Therapy; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of Joint Position Sense (Proprioception)

  Joint position sense will be assessed using the Becure Extremity ROM system. Proprioception will be evaluated at 60 degrees of shoulder flexion and shoulder abduction. While standing, each participant will first be asked to lift their arm with eyes open and memorize the arm position at 60 degrees. Then, with eyes closed, the participant will be instructed to raise the arm to the same position previously reached with eyes open. The shoulder angle will be measured while the eyes are closed. The difference between the angles recorded with eyes open and eyes closed will be considered the joint position error. This procedure will be performed for both shoulder flexion and abduction at 60 degrees.

  4 week

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Pain Assessment (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

  4 week

• Range of motion (ROM)

  4 week

• Functionality (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire - DASH)

  4 week

• Quality of Life (Rotator Cuff Quality of Life Questionnaire - RC-QoL)

  4 week

Study Arms (3)

Conventional Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Conventional physiotherapy

Vibration Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Device: Percussion massage therapy device; Other: Conventional physiotherapy

IASTM Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Device: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization device; Other: Conventional physiotherapy

Interventions

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization device 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.

IASTM Group

Percussion massage therapy device 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.

Vibration Therapy Group

Conventional physiotherapy OTHER

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.

Conventional Physiotherapy; IASTM Group; Vibration Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome confirmed by MRI
• Men and women between 40 and 60 years of age
• Presence of symptoms for more than one month

You may not qualify if:

• History of surgery on the affected arm
• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Emre DANSUK: lead

Study Sites (1)

Emre Dansuk

Istanbul, Beykoz, 34815, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Shoulder Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Arthralgia; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Emre Dansuk, PhD

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study uses a three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled design in which participants diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome are randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: (1) Vibration Therapy combined with Conventional Physiotherapy, (2) Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) combined with Conventional Physiotherapy, or (3) Conventional Physiotherapy alone. All groups receive interventions three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes are compared between groups to determine the additional effects of vibration therapy and IASTM beyond standard physiotherapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2025
• First Posted: December 18, 2025
• Study Start: December 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 15, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

TU (1)