RecruitingNot Applicable

Suprascapular Nerve Block and Proprioception in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

Turkey (Türkiye)40 participantsStarted 2025-05-01

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of suprascapular nerve block on shoulder joint proprioception in stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain. Fourteen patients aged 18-80 years with hemiplegic shoulder pain will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive suprascapular nerve block followed by a standardized physical therapy program, while the control group will receive the same physical therapy program alone. The primary outcome is shoulder joint proprioception. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, motor recovery, stroke-specific quality of life, and upper extremity functional outcomes. The results of this study are expected to clarify the role of suprascapular nerve block on proprioception and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 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: * Age between 18 and 80 years * Presence of shoulder pain on the hemiplegic side with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score \> 3 * At least 1 month since the cerebrovascular event (subacute and chronic stroke patients) * Active shoulder flexion range of motion \> 90 degrees (required for the application of the laser pointer-assisted joint position sense test) * First-ever, unilateral hemiplegia Exclusion Criteria: * Mini-Mental State Examination score \< 24 indicating cognitive impairment * Presence of aphasia * Shoulder spasticity with a Modified Ashworth Scale score \> 2 * Brunnstrom upper extremity motor stage \< 3 * Botulinum toxin type A injection within the last 3 months to muscles affecting shoulder joint movement (trapezius, levator scapulae, pectoralis major, deltoid, serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, teres major, biceps, coracobrachialis, triceps, supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor) * Pre-existing shoulder pathology causing pain in the hemiplegic shoulder * Presence of neglect syndrome * Complex regional pain syndrome, central pain, traumatic brachial plexus injury * Change in pain medication during the study period * Hypersensitivity to the medication used for suprascapular nerve block (lidocaine) * Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) * Other shoulder pathologies such as fractures or joint replacement

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

Laser pointer-assisted joint position sense test

Timeframe: This test will be assessed at baseline (T0). Follow-up assessments will be performed at 2 hours post-intervention (T1, intervention group only), at the end of the 3-week rehabilitation program (T2), and at week 7 (T3)

Thumb localization test

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07346755

SponsorFatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03

Contact for this trial

Merve Kocibar, MD

+905518761062 mervekarayigit@yahoo.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain trials