Passive Static Stretching for Improving Hip Range of Motion in Patients and Healthy Individuals

NCT07495371 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HIP-STRETCH- 2025- 01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study evaluates whether passive static stretching can improve hip movement in three groups: people who have had hip replacement surgery, individuals with long-term hip pain, and healthy volunteers. Participants will follow a 4-week stretching program, doing exercises three times per week under the supervision of a trained clinician. Hip range of motion will be measured before and after the program using accurate electronic sensors. The goal is to determine if passive static stretching is a safe and effective way to increase hip flexibility and support daily activities. The study involves no new medications or invasive procedures and is considered low risk.

Conditions

Hip Joint Disorders; Recovery After Total Hip Arthroplasty; Healthy Individuals

Keywords

Hip stretching; ROM improvement; Hip arthroplasty; Healthy subjects; Pilot rehabilitation study; Flexibility assessment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Hip Range of Motion (Flexion and Abduction)

  Hip ROM was measured using high-precision triaxial electronic sensors equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes (Sensorize). Participants were assessed in standardized positions over the hip joint, with data sampled at 200 Hz to determine maximal flexion and abduction angles. Measurements were taken pre- and post-intervention across all groups.

  4 weeks (pre- and post-intervention)

Study Arms (3)

Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. Intervention: passive static stretching to improve hip range of motion (ROM). Assessment of flexibility before and after stretching sessions.

Chronic Hip Pain Patients

Patients with chronic hip pain not due to arthroplasty. Intervention: passive static stretching to evaluate improvement in hip ROM. Pre- and post-intervention flexibility assessments performed.

Healthy Subjects

Healthy individuals without hip pathologies. Intervention: passive static stretching applied to hip joint. Flexibility measured before and after stretching sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study included 12 adult participants (7 women, 5 men; mean age 52.5 ± 6.8 years) divided into three groups: Group A: 4 patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) Group B: 4 patients with chronic non-surgical hip pain Group C: 4 healthy individuals with no prior hip or joint pathology Participants were selected based on their ability to safely perform passive hip stretching, absence of neurological or musculoskeletal comorbidities affecting motor control, and willingness to complete the 4-week intervention protocol. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

You may qualify if:

• Adults able to participate in a 4-week passive hip stretching protocol
• No contraindications to passive hip stretching
• No neurological or musculoskeletal comorbidities affecting motor control
• Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that impair hip movement or motor control
• Contraindications to stretching (e.g., recent surgery not related to hip arthroplasty, acute injuries)
• Inability or unwillingness to complete the full 4-week study protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Omicron beta research: lead

Study Sites (1)

Osteopathy and Clinical Kinesiology Practice

Roma, RM, 00195, Italy

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Kobsar D, Charlton JM, Tse CTF, Esculier JF, Graffos A, Krowchuk NM, Thatcher D, Hunt MA. Validity and reliability of wearable inertial sensors in healthy adult walking: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2020 May 11;17(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s12984-020-00685-3.

  PMID: 32393301 BACKGROUND

• Hopewell S, Chan AW, Collins GS, Hrobjartsson A, Moher D, Schulz KF, Tunn R, Aggarwal R, Berkwits M, Berlin JA, Bhandari N, Butcher NJ, Campbell MK, Chidebe RCW, Elbourne D, Farmer A, Fergusson DA, Golub RM, Goodman SN, Hoffmann TC, Ioannidis JPA, Kahan BC, Knowles RL, Lamb SE, Lewis S, Loder E, Offringa M, Ravaud P, Richards DP, Rockhold FW, Schriger DL, Siegfried NL, Staniszewska S, Taylor RS, Thabane L, Torgerson D, Vohra S, White IR, Boutron I. CONSORT 2025 statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials. BMJ. 2025 Apr 14;389:e081123. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2024-081123.

  PMID: 40228833 BACKGROUND

• Yildirim MS, Ozyurek S, Tosun O, Uzer S, Gelecek N. Comparison of effects of static, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mulligan stretching on hip flexion range of motion: a randomized controlled trial. Biol Sport. 2016 Mar;33(1):89-94. doi: 10.5604/20831862.1194126. Epub 2016 Feb 8.

  PMID: 26929476 BACKGROUND

• Lempke L, Wilkinson R, Murray C, Stanek J. The Effectiveness of PNF Versus Static Stretching on Increasing Hip-Flexion Range of Motion. J Sport Rehabil. 2018 May 1;27(3):289-294. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2016-0098. Epub 2018 May 22.

  PMID: 28182516 BACKGROUND

• Behm DG, Chaouachi A. A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Nov;111(11):2633-51. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-1879-2. Epub 2011 Mar 4.

  PMID: 21373870 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Emanuele Novelli, MSc Kinesiology, Osteopath

  OmicronBeta Research

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor of Clinical Kinesiology and Osteopathy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 22, 2026
• First Posted: March 27, 2026
• Study Start: November 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 28, 2025
• Study Completion: December 3, 2025
• Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)