Comparison of Dynamic Ultrasound Visual Feedback to Manual Feedback on Scapular Stabilizer Activation and Change in the Subacromial Space in Persons With Pain During Shoulder Elevation

NCT07464639 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2287358
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Purpose of the Study This study looks at whether using real-time ultrasound images as feedback can help people better activate two important shoulder muscles-the serratus anterior and lower trapezius-compared to standard verbal or visual feedback from a clinician. The study also examines whether this training carries over to everyday arm movements and whether it helps create more space inside the shoulder joint. Why This Matters Shoulder pain is very common. One possible cause is poor movement or poor muscle control of the shoulder blade, which can reduce the space under the shoulder and lead to pain. The serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscles help the shoulder blade move correctly when lifting the arm. Improving how these muscles work may reduce pain and improve shoulder function. How the Study Is Done People with shoulder pain will take part in the study in a university laboratory. They will be randomly placed into one of two groups: One group will receive muscle training with ultrasound images that show their muscles working in real time. The other group will receive standard feedback without ultrasound. Participants will perform specific shoulder exercises targeting the two muscles. Muscle activity will be measured before and after training using specialized sensors. The researchers will also see if the muscle training improves muscle use during a more functional movement, such as lifting the arm to shoulder height. In addition, ultrasound will be used to measure the space inside the shoulder joint before and after training. Why This Is Important for Care If ultrasound feedback is shown to be effective, it could give physical therapists and other clinicians a new tool to help patients better activate key shoulder muscles. This may improve treatment options for people with shoulder pain, especially pain at the top of the shoulder.

Conditions

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome; Apical Shoulder Pain; Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Keywords

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging; Subacromial space; Serratus anterior muscle; Lower trapezius muscle; Exercise with feedback; Electromyography

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle activity during functional task

  Intramuscular electromyography will be used to record muscle activity during a functional task

  Immediately after treatment administration (Day 1)

• Subacromial space size

  Ultrasound imaging will be used to measure the size of the subacromial space

  Immediately after treatment administration (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle activity during a muscle specific task

  Immediately after treatment administration (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Standardized exercise feedback

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Exercise will be performed with tactile and verbal feedback only

Other: Verbal and tactile feedback with exercise

Standardized exercise feedback with dynamic ultrasound feedback

EXPERIMENTAL

Standard feed back of verbal and tactile cueing with the addition of dynamic ultrasound imaging feedback

Other: Verbal and tactile feedback with exercise

Interventions

Verbal and tactile feedback with exercise OTHER

Verbal and tactile feedback are provided to the subject to improve the quality of the exercise being performed.

Also known as: exercise with standard feedback alone

Standardized exercise feedback; Standardized exercise feedback with dynamic ultrasound feedback

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects with apical shoulder pain
• Pain level \>2 on the numeric pain rating scale
• Able to elevate shoulder beyond 140º
• Able to perform all research activities without difficulty

You may not qualify if:

• Experience shoulder pain \> 6 on the numeric pain rating scale
• Presence of a known neurological disorder
• Shoulder pain only elicited with neck movements
• History of shoulder fracture or surgery involving the glenohumeral joint capsule
• Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis
• Previously received treatment for the scapular upward rotators

Sponsors & Collaborators

• California State University, Long Beach: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pathokinesiology Research Laboratory

Long Beach, California, 90840, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• George J Beneck, PT, PhD

  California State University, Long Beach

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

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

Model Details: Immediate effects

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2026
• First Posted: March 11, 2026
• Study Start: January 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2028
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)