Effect of Adding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy to Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy (NCT07390396) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Adding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy to Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Egypt50 participantsStarted 2025-12-15
Plain-language summary
Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, resulting in functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Exercise therapy is considered a first-line treatment; however, adjunct modalities such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may enhance recovery. This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding ESWT to a rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercise program in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Who can participate
Age range
30 Years – 55 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:
* Medically stable individuals who consent to participate in the study.
* Male and female participants aged between 30 and 55 years.
* Diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy, confirmed clinically and by ultrasound or MRI.
* Duration of symptoms greater than 3 months.
* Supraspinatus tendon thickness \> 5.85 mm as measured by ultrasound (based on Hunter et al., 2021).
* Able to follow the treatment plan and attend all therapy sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Massive rotator cuff tear or complete tendon rupture.
* Adhesive capsulitis or significant limitation of passive shoulder motion.
* History of shoulder fracture, dislocation, or surgery in the affected limb.
* Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or systemic inflammatory disease.
* Cervical radiculopathy or neurological involvement affecting the shoulder.
* Corticosteroid injection in the affected shoulder within the last 6 months.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* BMI \> 30 kg/m² (obese individuals excluded).
* Current malignancy, open wounds, or local infection at the treatment site.
* Inability to tolerate shock wave therapy or perform exercise sessions.
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 Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness
Timeframe: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
2
Change in Shoulder Pain Intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS)
Timeframe: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
3
Change in Shoulder Disability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, SPADI)
Timeframe: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
4
Change in Isometric Shoulder Muscle Strength
Timeframe: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention