Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Subacromial vs. Systemic Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder: … (NCT06626568) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Subacromial vs. Systemic Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder: a Multicenter Pilot Study
China40 participantsStarted 2024-10-15
Plain-language summary
The goal of this multicenter pilot study is to validate the effectiveness of extending the injection interval between betamethasone doses from one to two weeks for treating frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in adults aged 18 to 75. This study also aims to screen potential study centers and gather data to refine the sample size calculation for a larger, future trial. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does extending the interval between injections maintain effectiveness in improving shoulder function and reducing pain for frozen shoulder?
* Which centers in this pilot study are qualified for a larger, future trial?
* What is the appropriate sample size for conducting a multicenter RCT study with the same research design at the selected centers?
Participants will:
* Receive 3 injections over 4 weeks and will be followed up for another 8 weeks
* Complete shoulder function assessments
* Perform home rehabilitation exercises
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. History of ≤9 months, clinically diagnosed with primary frozen shoulder (including frozen shoulder associated with diabetes).
. Aged between 18 and 75 years old
. Pain NRS score ≥4
. Measured passive range of motion of the affected shoulder in at least two of the three directions (forward flexion, external rotation with arm at the side, and internal rotation with arm at the side) is reduced by 25% or more compared to the contralateral normal shoulder.
Exclusion criteria
. Secondary frozen shoulder caused by thyroid disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, radiotherapy, neurosurgery, or breast surgery (excluding diabetes); secondary frozen shoulder caused by major shoulder trauma requiring medical care (e.g., fractures, dislocations, rotator cuff tears).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06626568
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
. Full-thickness rotator cuff tear in the affected shoulder confirmed by MRI (excluding rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial-thickness rotator cuff tear in patients with frozen shoulder without a history of major shoulder trauma).
. Patients unable to undergo MRI due to financial reasons, claustrophobia, pacemaker, or other metallic implants in the body.
. Local infection in the affected shoulder or other contraindications to shoulder injections.
. Patients with contraindications to steroid therapy (e.g., poorly controlled blood sugar in diabetes).
. Patients with frozen shoulder who have already undergone shoulder injections, manipulation under anesthesia, arthroscopic capsular release, or open surgery for capsular release.
. Received any form of steroid treatment within the past 3 months.
. History of glucocorticoid use for more than 3 months.