Effects of Myofascial Chain Tension Modulation Combined With Scapular Corrective Exercise on Scapular Movement Performance and Functional Outcomes in Tennis Players With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

NCT07385378 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CMUH114-REC3-210
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Integrated scapular rehabilitation combines Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and postural correction exercises. IASTM detects soft tissue restrictions through multidirectional strokes and enhances the pain threshold of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) via reflex hyperemia. Postural correction exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones to improve stability and posture. The combination of these interventions may enhance scapular stability and dynamic control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrated scapular rehabilitation on scapular kinematics, movement correction, functional improvement, and pain management in tennis athletes with SIS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention effects.

Conditions

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Keywords

muscle imbalance; scapular dyskinesis; instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain (VAS score during the Hawkins test)

  Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.

Study Arms (2)

Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise)

EXPERIMENTAL

The integrated scapular rehabilitation training group received a specially designed scapular core rehabilitation program, which included the use of IASTM to inhibit overactive and tight muscles, targeted stretching exercises, strengthening training for elongated or weakened muscles, and finally, movement integration through multi-joint exercises.

Device: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Device: Elastic band

Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The conventional rehabilitation training group received only traditional rehabilitation exercises, including stretching and strengthening training.

Device: Elastic band

Interventions

Elastic band DEVICE

Elastic resistance bands of different colors were used for resistance training, with training intensity increased or decreased by selecting bands of varying resistance levels.

Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise); Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization DEVICE

IASTM is an assistive instrument designed to reduce the physical effort required by the practitioner and can be applied without a specific directional pattern. It aims to induce localized reactive hyperemia through repeated application, temporarily alter tissue rheological properties, and modulate sensory feedback via cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Its mechanisms involve both mechanical and neurophysiological components.

Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants were included if they met all of the following conditions:
• a VAS score greater than 3 during the Hawkins test (indicating mild to moderate pain),
• at least two positive results among the Hawkins test, Neer test, and painful arch test, and
• a positive result on the mSAT. Only participants who fulfilled all three criteria were enrolled in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants were excluded if they had a history of clavicle, scapular, or humeral fractures; shoulder dislocation; or rotator cuff surgery; positive results on the cervical compression test, apprehension test, or drop arm test; had received corticosteroid injections within the past three months; had undergone physical therapy within the past six months; or reported a VAS score higher than 9.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• China Medical University Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Yueh-Ling Hsieh, PHD

CONTACT

04-22053366; sherrie@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Yu-Wei Lee

CONTACT

0972141913; will860619@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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2026
• First Posted: February 4, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027
• Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01