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NCT Number: NCT07667998

High-intensity Laser Therapy Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave on Tendon Thickness and Occupation Ratio In Patients With Chronic Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

This study will be conducted to investigate the difference between high-intensity laser and extracorporeal shock wave on supraspinatus tendon thickness, subacromial space, occupation ratio, shoulder pain intensity, shoulder range of motion (ROM), hand strength, and functional disability in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy.

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Key information

Conditions

Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction due to irritation, inflammation, or degeneration of the supraspinatus tendon in the rotator cuff. It is caused by repetitive overhead movements and is characterized by pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion, especially when reaching or lifting the arm. Recently, studies have demonstrated that HILT is useful for treating a variety of shoulder impairments, including subacromial impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and adhesive capsulitis.Shock wave is an effective and noninvasive method of reducing pain and increasing ROM and functional status without the need for surgery; it has been successfully utilized to treat tendinopathy over the past 20 years.There is a gap in available literature about comparing the high-intensity laser and extracorporeal shock wave in patients withchronic supraspinatus tendonitis. So this study may add a piece of information to the physiotherapists in the government hospitals and the private clinics about showing the difference between the application of High Intensity laser and extracorporeal shock wave in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinitis

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients from 18 to 50 years old of both genders.
  • Unilateral Chronic Supraspinatus Tendinitis in dominant side
  • BMI 18.5-24.9
  • Tenderness is found over the supraspinatus as it passes subacromial and anterolateral The patient will report pain with active shoulder elevation in the scapular plane (eg: welders, plate workers, slaughterhouse workers and overhead playing athletes)
  • The patient will report pain with resisted isometric abduction.
  • The patient will report positive Jobe's test (empty can test)

Exclusion criteria

  • Post shoulder surgery, traumatic incidents
  • Partial tears at surgery
  • Massive retracted tears at surgery
  • Frozen shoulder Rotator cuff tear
  • Glenohumeral or acromioclavicular arthritis
  • Implanted pacemaker
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

High-intensity Laser Therapy

Other

the patients will receive HILT with peak power 3kW, intensity 15000W/cm and energy per pulse 350 mj) at supraspinatus tendenopathy.The treatment consisted of 3 phases in each session. the initial phase will be rapid manual scanning (100 cm2/30s) of the anterior joint line of the shoulder with one shot of 850 mj at frequency of 30 Hz. The scanning will be performed parallel to the joint line, with the patient arm internally rotated on the posterior scan and externally rotated on the anterior scan. the intermediate phase will be a fixed scan phase , with one -shot emission of 350mj at a frequency of 20-25Hz. plus conventional therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave

Other

patients will be sitting with shoulder abduction at 45 and elbow flexed and the forearm rested on flat surface and shock wave applicator directed in the most tender point near the insertion at the greater tubrosity under acromion with 2000 impulses, and energy flex density of 0.22mj/mm , pulse rate 10/sec and frequency 1-15 Hz plus conventional therapy

Conventional Therapy

Other

will receive Conventional physical therapy in form of stretching exercise of posterior shoulder capsule, passive stretching exercise, will be done only 3 times with holding time 30 sec and 10 sec rest period between repetitions , strengthing exercise consists of 3 exercises all have been recommended as essential for any shoulder rehabilitation program. These exercise include shoulder flexion, scaption and horizontal extension. for each exercise, a 10-repetition maximum for 3 sets with 60 sec rest between every set + TENS and hot back.

Primary outcomes

  1. supraspinatous tendon thickness

    Time frame: up to 6 weeks

    supraspinatus tendon thickness will be assess by ultrasonography.The tendon often appears swollen or thickened (frequently > 6 to 7 mm)

  2. supracromial space

    Time frame: up to 6 weeks

    supracromial space will be measured by ultrasonography. A normal resting subacromial space generally ranges from 9 to 11 mm. A measurement of less than 6 mm is often pathological

  3. occupation ratio of subacromial space

    Time frame: up to 6 weeks

    The ratio comparing the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon to the overall acromiohumeral distance. An increased occupation ratio (i.e., a thickened tendon taking up too much of the space) indicates a higher risk of impingement

Secondary outcomes

  1. pain intensity

    Time frame: up to 6 weeks

    visuala analogue scale will be used to assess pain intesity. it is a line of 100 mm.The ends are labeled with extremes, such as "No pain" at 0 mm and "Worst pain imaginable" at 100 mm.

  2. shoulder range of motion

    Time frame: up to six weeks

    the range of motion will be measured by electrogoniometer

  3. upper limb disability

    Time frame: up to six weeks

    The QuickDASH will be used to assess upper limb function.the QuickDASH is an 11-item questionnaire used to measure physical function and symptoms in people with upper limb disorders. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).

  4. supraspinatus muscle strength

    Time frame: up to six weeks

    supraspinatus muscle strength will be measured by handheld dynamometer

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

mahmoud shaaban, phd

CONTACT

[email protected]

01001080842

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: HILT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 25, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 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.

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