The Effect of a Dual-Task Technique-Based Exercise Program on Clinical Outcomes in Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain

NCT07415967 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2190016
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of a dual-task-based exercise program on clinical outcomes in individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. The study will evaluate the effects of a dual-task exercise approach, in which physical exercises are performed concurrently with cognitive tasks, on pain, functional status, pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia. These results will be compared with those of a standard shoulder rehabilitation program. The main questions this study aims to answer are:

• Is there a difference in pain levels between individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain who participate in a dual-task-based exercise program and those who participate in a standard exercise program?
• Is there a difference between these two exercise approaches in terms of shoulder function and psychosocial factors? Participants will:
• Participate in either a dual-task-based shoulder exercise program or a standard shoulder exercise program twice per week for 6 weeks.
• Undergo clinical assessments at baseline, at week 6, and at week 12.

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain; Shoulder Pain Syndrome; Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Keywords

Rotator cuff; Shoulder pain; Dual-task exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  NPRS will be used to evaluate pain levels. The scale consists of a numeric rating system ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants will be asked to rate the intensity of their shoulder pain.

  At baseline, at week 6, and at week 12

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH)

  At baseline, at week 6, and at week 12

• The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES)

  At baseline, at week 6, and at week 12

• Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

  At baseline, at week 6, and at week 12

• Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11)

  At baseline, at week 6, and at week 12

Study Arms (2)

Dual-Task Technique-Based Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will receive a treatment program consisting of patient education and exercise therapy twice per week for a total of 12 sessions. Exercise sessions will be performed concurrently with cognitive tasks.

Other: Patient Education; Other: Dual-Task-Based Exercise Therapy

Standard Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients will receive a treatment program consisting of patient education and exercise therapy twice per week for a total of 12 sessions, following a standard shoulder exercise approach.

Other: Patient Education; Other: Standard Exercise Therapy

Interventions

Patient Education OTHER

Participants will receive patient education on basic muscle biomechanics, causes of pain, pain management strategies, and proper sleeping positions.

Dual-Task Technique-Based Exercise Group; Standard Exercise Group

Dual-Task-Based Exercise Therapy OTHER

Participants will be enrolled in a structured exercise program consisting of exercises recommended in the literature. The program will include a three-phase exercise protocol comprising range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises. In addition to the standard shoulder exercise program, participants will perform concurrent cognitive tasks targeting attention, cognitive processing, working memory, and verbal fluency. The exercise program will be delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist twice per week over a 6-week period.

Dual-Task Technique-Based Exercise Group

Standard Exercise Therapy OTHER

Participants will be enrolled in a structured exercise program consisting of exercises recommended in the literature. The program will include a three-phase exercise protocol comprising range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises. The exercise program will be delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist twice per week over a 6-week period.

Standard Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosis of impingement syndrome, subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or partial rotator cuff tear
• Shoulder pain level ≥3 according to the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
• Shoulder pain persisting for at least 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of shoulder instability, adhesive capsulitis, or full-thickness or massive rotator cuff tear
• Presence of musculoskeletal, neurological, and/or psychological conditions that would prevent participation in an exercise program
• History of shoulder surgery
• Having received physiotherapy or corticosteroid injection treatment for shoulder pain within the past 6 months
• Presence of cognitive impairment that would prevent participation in dual-task exercise activities

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Interventions

Patient Education as Topic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Health Education; Preventive Health Services; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Central Study Contacts

İrem Ece İçöz, Bachelor's degree

CONTACT

90+ 5511040686; iremece.icoz@ogr.iuc.edu.tr

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: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: February 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 16, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 16, 2027
• Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)