Effects of Dry Needling in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome (NCT07621016) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Dry Needling in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Spain40 participantsStarted 2026-06
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise improves shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. The study will also assess its effects on dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does dry needling improve shoulder proprioception compared with therapeutic exercise alone? Does dry needling improve dynamic shoulder stability and muscle strength? Does dry needling reduce pain and upper limb disability?
Researchers will compare a group receiving dry needling plus therapeutic exercise with a group performing therapeutic exercise alone to determine whether the combined intervention produces better outcomes.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Perform a home-based therapeutic exercise program for 3 weeks. Complete assessments of proprioception, dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability before and after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 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:
* Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years.
* Clinical diagnosis of subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) according to the Dutch Orthopaedic Association criteria: presence of a painful arc and at least two positive tests among the following: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer sign, Jobe test, Drop Arm test, or Gerber test.
* Participation in sports involving predominant upper-limb activity between 2 and 4 hours per week.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous surgery involving the upper extremities.
* Diagnosis of specific shoulder pathologies other than SAPS at the time of the study.
* Receipt of medical or physiotherapy treatment within the month prior to the intervention.
* Needle phobia or refusal to receive dry needling treatment.
* Presence of vestibular disorders, balance impairments, or vascular alterations that could interfere with study measurements.
* Confirmed or suspected 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
Shoulder Proprioception Assessed With the Joint Position Sense Test
Timeframe: Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session