IASTM Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Subacromial Impingement

NCT07293702 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-202.3.02-6969
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).

Conditions

Soft Tissue Injuries; Subacromial Impingement Syndrome; Massage; Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Keywords

Subakromial Impingement Syndrome; IASTM; Shoulder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Visual Analog Scale

  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a tool used to measure pain intensity as a single-dimensional construct across different adult populations. It typically consists of a horizontal or vertical line measuring 10 cm in length. On this scale, a score of 0 indicates no pain, while a score of 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Range of motion

  Shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation range of motion will be assessed using a universal goniometer while the patient is positioned in supine and performs the movements actively.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)

  The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a scale that evaluates functional status and capability following injuries or disorders affecting the upper extremity. The DASH consists of 30 items. These items assess difficulties encountered during specific tasks, as well as pain, numbness, stiffness, weakness, sleep problems, self-confidence, and participation in social activities. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment in upper extremity function.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Joint position sense

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Rotator cuff quality of life Index

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Conventional exercise group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Conventional exercises will be applied.

Other: Conventional exercise group

IASTM group

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to the conventional exercises, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) will be applied.

Other: Conventional exercise group; Other: IASTM group

Interventions

IASTM group OTHER

Participants in the IASTM group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in addition to the conventional treatment program, three days per week for four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. The IASTM technique will be applied to the subscapularis, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles. For each muscle group, the treatment will be administered for 20 seconds in a parallel direction and 20 seconds in a perpendicular direction, using sweep and brush techniques at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

IASTM group

Conventional exercise group OTHER

All participants will receive a standardized electrotherapy program in a clinical setting, consisting of TENS (100 Hz, 30 minutes), ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 8 minutes), and a 15-minute cold-pack application, delivered three times per week for four weeks. In addition to electrotherapy, participants in the conventional exercise group will perform a physiotherapist-guided exercise program aimed at improving shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation through stretching and range-of-motion exercises. The program will include Codman exercises, wand exercises, finger-ladder activities, and condition-appropriate strengthening exercises, progressed according to each participant's pain level and tolerance.

Conventional exercise group; IASTM group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals diagnosed with SIS by MRI
• Men and women between 40 and 60 years of age
• Individuals with symptoms persisting for at least one month
• Individuals with a minimum of 60° of shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with a history of surgery on the affected arm
• Individuals with an open wound on the arm
• Individuals with an active infection
• Individuals with inflammatory joint disease
• Individuals with malignant or benign tumors were excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Medipol University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Medipol University

Istanbul, 34820, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Soft Tissue Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Shoulder Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Burak Menek, PhD

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Burak Menek, PhD

CONTACT

05444761640; bmenek@medipol.edu.tr

Ahmet Mesut Zan

CONTACT

05444761640; ahmetmesutzan@gmail.com

Study Design

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

Model Details: Participants in the first group underwent conventional physiotherapy interventions for 4 weeks, 3 days per week.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: December 19, 2025
• Study Start: January 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 20, 2026
• Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)