Effects of Rigid Taping in Acromioclavicular Joint Degeneration

NCT07333417 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ACJTaping
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine whether rigid taping applied to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint can reduce shoulder pain and improve shoulder function in people with AC joint degeneration. Participants with shoulder pain and a confirmed diagnosis of AC joint degeneration will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) rigid taping plus a standardized exercise program or (2) the same exercise program without taping. The program will last 4 weeks, with weekly supervised visits. Pain, shoulder motion, and shoulder function will be assessed at baseline, after the first session (acute effect), at the end of treatment (Week 4), and at a 3-month follow-up.

Conditions

Shoulder Pain; Acromioclavicular Joint

Keywords

Shoulder pain; Acromioclavicular joint degeneration; Rigid taping

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be assessed at rest and during activity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately after the first session (acute effect), Week 4 (end of intervention), and Month 3 follow-up

• Shoulder Range of Motion

  Shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation) will be assessed using a goniometer by recording active range of motion until pain onset, active range of motion despite pain, and passive end-range of motion.

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately after the first session (acute effect), Week 2, Week 4 (end of intervention), and Month 3 follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Shoulder Function

  Baseline (Week 0), Week 4 (end of intervention), and Month 3 follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Rigid Taping + Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive rigid acromioclavicular joint taping once weekly for 4 weeks in addition to a standardized shoulder exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist.

Other: Rigid Taping; Other: Exercise Program

Exercise Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a standardized shoulder exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist without any taping application.

Other: Exercise Program

Interventions

Rigid Taping OTHER

Rigid taping will be applied to the acromioclavicular joint using a standardized technique aiming to posteriorize the acromion and inferiorize the clavicle. Taping will be performed once weekly for 4

Rigid Taping + Exercise

Exercise Program OTHER

A standardized shoulder exercise program focusing on soft tissue flexibility, scapular stabilization, and rotator cuff activation will be applied once weekly for 4 weeks.

Exercise Only; Rigid Taping + Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• A clinical diagnosis of acromioclavicular (AC) joint degeneration confirmed by clinical examination and imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI).
• Shoulder pain duration of at least 4 weeks.
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Willingness to refrain from any additional treatments outside the study protocol during the study period (e.g., medication changes, injections, or physiotherapy elsewhere) and to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Current or previous diagnosis/history of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation.
• Diagnosis of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).
• History of acute trauma or fracture involving the shoulder girdle (e.g., clavicle fracture, shoulder dislocation).
• History of shoulder surgery.
• Systemic inflammatory joint disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or other systemic arthropathies.
• Skin conditions preventing taping (e.g., rash, open wound, or known tape allergy).
• Neuromuscular disease or neurological disorders affecting shoulder function

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Interventions

Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Irem Duzgun, PhD, Prof

CONTACT

+90 (312) 305 15 74; iremduzgun@hacettepe.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, PhD

Model Details: Outcome assessments are planned to be conducted by an assessor blinded to group allocation whenever possible.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 25, 2026
• Study Completion: April 30, 2026
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)