Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07334171

Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Diaphragm Thickness in People With Shoulder Pain in Tennis Players

This observational case-control study will compare inspiratory muscle function and diaphragm morphology between individuals with shoulder pain and asymptomatic controls. Participants will be allocated into two groups according to the presence or absence of shoulder pain.

Inspiratory muscle strength will be assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) using standardized procedures. Diaphragm thickness will be evaluated bilaterally using ultrasound imaging at the end of inspiration (Tins) and at the end of expiration (Texp).

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Upper limb disability will be evaluated using the QuickDASH questionnaire, including the activities of daily living module and the optional sports module.

All outcomes will be assessed in a single evaluation session. Between-group comparisons will be performed to analyze differences in inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, pain intensity, and upper limb disability between participants with and without shoulder pain.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Shoulder Pain Arthralgia Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, 28223, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Tennis player who suffered from non-specific shoulder pain
  • Training at least two times per week
  • Have experienced at least 1 episode of non-specific shoulder pain in the last month
  • A positive result on the following diagnostic tests: Neer Test and Jobe Test

Exclusion criteria

  • Having taken anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants within the last 72 hours before the study
  • Pregnancy
  • Previous diagnosis of respiratory or neurological diseases
  • Previous surgeries, fractures, and dislocations in the dominant shoulder
  • Inability to follow instructions during the study
  • All those for whom measuring maximum inspiratory pressure is contraindicated: unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction (within 4 weeks of the even or myocarditis, uncontrolled systemic hypertension, recent pneumothorax, post-lung biopsy surgery of less than one week, postoperative abdominal or genitourinary surgery of less than 6 months, and urinary incontinence

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Maximal inspiratory pressure measured in cmH₂O using a respiratory pressure meter as an indicator of inspiratory muscle strength.

  2. Diaphragm thickness at inspiration

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Bilateral diaphragm muscle thickness measured by ultrasound imaging at the end of maximal inspiration (Tins)

  3. Diaphragm thickness at expiration

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Bilateral diaphragm muscle thickness measured by ultrasound imaging at the end of maximal expiration (Texp).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity (VAS)

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Shoulder pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain; higher scores indicate worse pain

  2. Upper limb disability - activities of daily living

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Upper limb disability in activities of daily living assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH-Core) questionnaire (11 items). Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 = no disability and 100 = most severe disability; higher scores indicate worse disability.

  3. Upper limb disability - sport

    Time frame: Single assessment at baseline visit

    Upper limb disability in sport activities assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Sport module (4 ítems). Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 = no disability and 100 = most severe disability; higher scores indicate worse disability.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Diaphragm Thickness in Tennis Players With and Without Shoulder Pain: A Case-Control Study

Acronym: SHOULDER-DIAPH

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 28, 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.