Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06447493

Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function

The purpose of this study is to see the impact of a modified Spencer's technique on tissue stiffness, mobility, and blood flow of the shoulder joint. Spencer's technique is a well-known osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) that is common for treating adhesive capsulitis and is believed to help blood flow. There are studies that look at the clinical effects of the technique and/or compare it to other techniques; however, measuring the extent to which Spencer's technique, or this modified technique, improves tissue stiffness and blood flow has never been written in the literature. This study will serve as a proof of concept that this technique improves tissue stiffness, blood flow, and mobility of the shoulder join as well as the nearby areas. Using ultrasound, the investigators will measure tissue stiffness and blood flow and will analyze the mobility of the shoulder joint using a Vicon motion capture system.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Shoulder Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn

Auburn, Alabama, 36832, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • male and female subjects 18-50 years old

Exclusion criteria

  • prior shoulder surgery or injury to the reported dominant throwing arm
  • shoulder pain in the reported dominant throwing arm within the last 6 months
  • diagnosis cervical radiculopathy or pinched nerve in the neck
  • connective tissue or muscle disorders
  • known pregnancy
  • tobacco use
  • known diabetes or prediabetes
  • allergy to ultrasound gel (propylene glycol)

Treatment and study plan

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment-Spencer's Technique (Modified)

Other

Combination OMT approach utilizing Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Articulatory Technique (ART), and Myofascial Release (MFR). It is a series of direct OMT addressing the barrier of somatic dysfunction (SD) with the goal of restoring neurovascular balance and improved motion of the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. Utilizing these three OMT techniques, the practitioner attempts restoration of glenohumeral joint motion using shoulder extension, flexion, circumduction with compression, circumduction with distraction, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and distraction in abduction. The study uses a modified version of the Spencer technique, done in the seated position for patient comfort, as well as adding to the treatment sequence: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor-major, serratus anterior, and rhomboid major-minor. Adding these muscles into treatment will help to address and correct sternoclavicular joint SD, acromioclavicular joint SD, and scapular SD.

Rest

Other

10 minute rest period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle Stiffness

    Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

    Using Shear Wave Elastography to measure muscle stiffness (kPa) of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.

  2. Shoulder Mobility

    Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

    Using Vicon motion capture system to calculate landmark coordinates and using morphometric canonical variate analysis to analyze mobility changes.

  3. Microvascular/capillary blood flow

    Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 1 Post, Day 2

    Using ultrasound to capture blood flow of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, posterior shoulder capsule, and coracoacromial ligament.

  4. Subjective Shoulder Stiffness (Visual Analogue Scale)

    Time frame: Day 1 Pre, Day 2

    Using Visual Analogue scale to measure participant's subjective measure of shoulder stiffness. Scores range from 0 to 10, with 0 being "Not stiff at all" and 10 being "Very stiff."

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Exploring the Effects of Spencer's Technique on Shoulder Function: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 7, 2024
Registry last updated
May 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.