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NCT Number: NCT07633340

Routine Rehabilitation Versus Shock Wave Therapy for Scapular Dyskinesis

It has been proposed that altered scapular muscle function can contribute to alterations in shoulder kinematics, which often lead to SD and are frequently associated with other shoulder pathologies, such as RC tears, labrum tears, impingement syndrome, and glenohumeral joint instability. However, whether SD leads to the development of these diseases or is a consequence has yet to be clarified. Changes in scapular kinematics can be attributed not only to altered scapular recruitment patterns (e.g., altered serratus anterior muscle activity) or muscle performance (e.g., force imbalance in the upper and lower trapezius muscles) but also to flexibility deficits in the soft tissue surrounding the scapula, which may restrict normal scapular movement during daily activities and sport- specific movements. Although many studies have investigated the optimal management method, to date, there is no consensus. Conservative approaches involve not only physiotherapy but also other techniques, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

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Key information

Conditions

Scapular Dyskinesis Shockwave Therapy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tanta University

Tanta, Egypt

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

This is a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised study. The closed envelop randomization method will be used for the randomization of the patients who will be also blinded to group allocation. The patients will be allocated into two groups:Group I: will be exposed to rESWT once weekly for one month Group II: will be exposed to ShamrESWT once weekly for one month. During the study period, stretching exercises will be similarly given for both groups.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • This study included 100 patients with scapular dyskinesis. The patients were divided into 2 groups: one group was treated with ESWT and routine rehabilitation, and the second group was treated with routine rehabilitation only. Adult patients with scapular dyskinesia who exhibited signs of dyskinesia for at least 6 months before enrolment in the study will be selected.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of shoulder or thorax trauma or surgery.
  • The back pain involved the cervical spine and thoracic spine.
  • Participants with neurologic deficits
  • history of inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis

4- Certain situations where shockwave therapy is not recommended. These include:

Absolute contraindications:

  • Active infection (i.e., osteomyelitis)
  • Malignant tumors, particularly at the treatment site (focused shockwave)
  • Pregnancy

Relative Contraindications:

  • The brain or nerve in the treatment focus
  • Treatment focused on the lungs or pleura
  • Significant coagulopathy (increased risk of bleeding, such as haemophilia)
  • Epiphyseal plate in treatment focus

Important considerations:

  • Cardiac pacemakers or other implantable devices
  • Current nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use
  • Current anticoagulation use
  • Recent corticosteroid injections (receiving a steroid injection into the area to be treated within the previous 12 weeks).

Treatment and study plan

Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (active comparator)

Device

Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (r ESWT) will be applied by Dornier AR2 machine (DornierMedTech GmbH, Wessling, Germany) under ultrasound guidance, at periscapular muscles . 1.500 pulses will be applied by an R20 probe with a focusing depth of 4cm. The intensity will be 0.10 mJ to 0.3mJ/mm2 (2.5 bar), with frequency 4 Hz every week for one month for the treatment group and without operating the machine for the sham group . No anesthetic oranalgesic drugs will be administered to patients during the therapy session. Both groups will be put under the same physiotherapeutic program performed by the same well-trained physiatrist.

Sham rESWT

Other

The Dornier AR2 machine (Dornier MedTechGmbH, Wessling, Germany) used under ultrasound guidance, at affested periscapular muscles . 1.500 pulses will be applied by anR20 probe with intensity of 0.10 mJ to0.3mJ/mm2 (2.5 bar) & frequency 4 Hz every week for one month without operating the machine.

Primary outcomes

  1. Improvement by Scapular Assistance Test and/or Scapular Dyskinesis Test

    Time frame: 1 month after intervention

Study contacts

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

Aliaa Mamdouh Abdelaziz Farag, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

01069468486

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tanta University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Routine Rehabilitation Versus Shock Wave Therapy for Patients With Scapular Dyskinesis

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 10, 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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