Suprascapular Nerve Block to Improve Tolerance and Outcomes of Shoulder Hydrodistension in Adhesi… (NCT07380087) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Suprascapular Nerve Block to Improve Tolerance and Outcomes of Shoulder Hydrodistension in Adhesive Capsulitis
Portugal50 participantsStarted 2026-03-01
Plain-language summary
Adhesive capsulitis ("frozen shoulder") causes significant pain and loss of shoulder mobility. Shoulder hydrodistension is an established treatment that can improve movement and reduce symptoms, but the procedure itself may be painful and difficult for some patients to tolerate.
This randomized clinical trial will evaluate whether performing a suprascapular nerve block with local anesthetic immediately before hydrodistension can reduce pain during the procedure, improve patient comfort, and potentially enhance clinical outcomes.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
hydrodistension alone, or
suprascapular nerve block followed by hydrodistension.
Pain, shoulder mobility, functional ability, psychological measures, and quality of life will be assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the procedure. The study aims to determine whether adding a suprascapular nerve block provides better tolerability and improved recovery for patients with adhesive capsulitis.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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
* Adults aged 18 years or older
* Clinical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
* Persistent pain and functional limitation despite initial conservative treatment
* Ability to understand study procedures
* Ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
* Known allergy or hypersensitivity to ropivacaine or methylprednisolone
* Active infection (local or systemic)
* Uncontrolled coagulopathy or ongoing therapeutic anticoagulation
* Recent surgery of the affected shoulder
* Neurological disease affecting the upper limb
* Pregnancy
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
Change in Shoulder Pain - Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS 0-10)
Timeframe: "From enrollment to the end of follow up at 3 years
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07380087
SponsorUniversidade do Porto
Sponsor typeOTHER
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Primary completion2026-07-31
Contact for this trial
Joao Manuel Rocha-Neves,, MD, MSc, MPH, PhD, MBA, FEBVS