NCT07131943

Radiofrequency vs. Ultrasound Therapy for Shoulder Joint in Stroke Patients: A Comparative Clinical Trial

Comparison Between Radiofrequency and Ultrasound on Shoulder Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Stroke

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of the current study is to: Compare between radiofrequency (TECAR) therapy and ultrasound on Shoulder Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Outcome in Patients with stroke.

Detailed description

Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide and a major contributor to long-term disability, particularly affecting upper limb function in about 70% of survivors. Among post-stroke complications, hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is notably challenging, affecting 30-65% of patients and often resulting from structural injuries, poor posture, or conditions like rotator cuff impingement and shoulder-hand syndrome. HSP is linked to reduced arm function, depression, and diminished quality of life. Therapeutic approaches such as TECAR therapy and therapeutic ultrasound aim to alleviate pain and promote tissue healing through deep heat and mechanical effects. Assessment tools like the algometer, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), digital goniometer, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)-including its validated Arabic version-are reliable methods for evaluating pain, joint mobility, and functional disability in stroke patients.

Conditions

• Stroke ( 3 Months After Onset)
• Stroke in Patients: New Tool to Evaluate the Impact in Their Life

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Radiofrequency	Radiofrequency (TECAR) therapy is a non-invasive, non-ablative treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to generate endogenous heat, promoting increased blood flow and tissue healing in both superficial and deep tissues. With a long wavelength and low frequency (300 KHz to 1 MHz), it can penetrate deeply into muscles, tendons, and bones, making it suitable even in acute conditions. TECAR operates in two modes: capacitive (targeting soft tissues rich in electrolytes) and resistive (targeting high-resistance tissues like bones and tendons). The therapy stimulates natural repair processes by inducing ion flow and micro-hyperemia, leading to the release of endorphins and cortisone, which help reduce pain, inflammation, and edema, while enhancing immune response and tissue regeneration.
DEVICE	Ultrasound	The ultrasound waves accelerate healing, increasing local vascularity and improving several other characteristics, including energy absorption capacity and maximum rupture resistance tension, increased collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, release of growth factors stimulated by mast cell degranulation and improved response of platelets and macrophages anticipating the proliferative and remodeling phase. 1-MHz continuous ultrasound, with a half-value depth of approximately 2.3 cm, is frequently used to treat deep tissues that are approximately 2.3 to 5 cm deep.
OTHER	The designed physical therapy program	The designed physical therapy program focuses on improving upper limb mobility and stability through a structured set of exercises targeting the shoulder joint. It includes prolonged stretching performed in a seated position to extend the thumb, fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, along with scapular mobilization in side-lying and stretching of internal rotators in a supine position. The stretching progression begins with external rotation at 45° abduction and advances to 90° abduction and full reach toward the ground if pain-free. Joint stabilization exercises involve resistance band movements in various shoulder and elbow positions, including controlled abduction, flexion, scapular movements, and external rotation, all aimed at enhancing joint control and muscular coordination.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-28
• Primary completion: 2025-11-12
• Completion: 2025-11-12
• First posted: 2025-08-20
• Last updated: 2025-10-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt