Comparing Two Shoulder Treatments for Athletes

NCT07637916 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 224 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Many athletes who play overhead sports like cricket develop tightness in the back of the shoulder. This causes pain and makes it hard to lift the arm. This study will compare two common physical therapy treatments: Kaltenborn joint mobilization (a specific manual therapy glide) versus a Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch (a specific stretching technique). We want to see which one works better for pain, range of motion, and daily function. 28 athletes will be treated for 4 weeks, and we will measure their progress using a goniometer and the SPADI questionnaire.

Conditions

Posterior Capsule Tightness; Joint Diseases; Joint Range of Motion

Keywords

Posterior Capsule Tightness; GIRD; Kaltenborn Mobilization; Pragmatic Stretch; Glenohumeral Joint; Athletes; Atheletic over head shoulder restrictions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Pain

  Measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) - Pain subscale. Score range 0-100 (higher = more pain).

  Baseline and Week 4

• Change in Range of Motion

  Measured using a universal goniometer. Specifically Glenohumeral Internal Rotation (GIR) and Horizontal Adduction (HA) range in degrees.

  Baseline and Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Functional Disability

  Baseline and Week 4

Study Arms (2)

Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive the Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch. The participant is positioned in a comfortable side-lying posture on the unaffected side. To achieve targeted stretching of the posterior shoulder tissues and to prevent compensatory movements, the therapist supports the scapula in a protracted position with one hand. The therapist uses the other hand to administer a combination of medial rotation, extension, and longitudinal traction at the glenohumeral joint. The leverage required to execute the maneuver successfully is provided by the semi-flexed elbow. To improve muscular relaxation and capsular stretch, the stretch is held for 30 seconds and followed by at least three deep breaths, each held in full inspiration for 8-10 seconds. This stretch is repeated multiple times to achieve a total treatment duration of 15 minutes per session. This intervention is performed 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions).

Procedure: Pragmatic Capsular Stretch

Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization (Posterior Glide)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm receive Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization (Posterior Glide). With the shoulder at the end range of abduction and external rotation, the participant is positioned for posterior mobilization in the starting posture. While performing the posterior stretch mobilization to the end range, a lateral humeral distraction is maintained in the midrange position. The shoulder is positioned in the final range of flexion and external rotation for advancement. While the posterior stretch mobilization is performed to the end range, a lateral humeral distraction remains in its intermediate position. For a minimum of one minute, the end-range position is maintained. This stretch is repeated until a total of fifteen minutes of sustained posterior mobilization are achieved per session. This intervention is performed 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions).

Procedure: Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization

Interventions

Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization PROCEDURE

Kaltenborn Grade III sustained posterior glide with lateral distraction. Applied to the glenohumeral joint for 15 minutes per session, 3x/week for 4 weeks.

Kaltenborn Joint Mobilization (Posterior Glide)

Pragmatic Capsular Stretch PROCEDURE

Side-lying stretch combining medial rotation, extension, and traction. Held for 30 seconds with deep breathing, repeated for 15 minutes total per session, 3x/week for 4 weeks.

Pragmatic Posterior Capsular Stretch

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 22 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female athletes
• Positive GIRD test
• Age 22-40 years
• Overhead throwing athletes (Cricketers)
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Fracture
• Recent shoulder injury (last 6 months)
• History of shoulder surgery
• Osteoarthritis
• Peripheral nerve injuries

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Joint Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Musculoskeletal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Dr. Muhammad Muneeb Jafar, Doctor of Physical Therapy

CONTACT

+92 300 4561972; muneebjafar.DPT@tuf.edu.pk

Dr Muhammad Ateeb, PhD Public Health

CONTACT

+923357333383; mateeb.oric@tuf.edu.pk

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 4, 2026
• First Posted: June 10, 2026
• Study Start: June 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 19, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)