NCT07390396

Effect of Adding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy to Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Effect of Adding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy to Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Deraya University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Detailed description

Rotator cuff tendinopathy involves chronic overload and microtrauma of the rotator cuff tendons, leading to pain, inflammation, and functional impairment. Therapeutic exercises that target the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers are commonly prescribed to restore muscle control and shoulder kinematics. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has demonstrated potential for tendon regeneration, pain reduction, and improved vascularization. This randomized controlled trial investigates whether the combination of ESWT and exercise therapy produces greater improvements than exercise therapy alone in reducing supraspinatus tendon thickness and pain and improving shoulder function. Fifty participants aged 30-55 years with confirmed RCT will be randomly assigned into two groups: * Group A (Experimental): ESWT + rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercises. * Group B (Active Comparator): Rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercises only. Both groups will be treated for 6 weeks, with 3 exercise sessions per week; Group A will receive 1 ESWT session weekly in addition to exercises.

Conditions

• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
• Shoulder Pain
• Supraspinatus Tendinopathy
• Shoulder Dysfunction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) with Exercise	Focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) will be applied to the supraspinatus tendon at 1.5 bar, 1500 shocks per session, once weekly for 6 weeks, in combination with a rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercise program performed three times weekly. This combination is designed to promote tendon healing, improve strength, and reduce shoulder pain.
OTHER	Exercise Therapy	A standardized rotator cuff and scapular stabilization exercise program including strengthening, stretching, and control training for the shoulder complex. Exercises are performed three times weekly for 6 weeks under supervision. This program serves as the active control for comparison with ESWT + Exercise.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-15
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-05-01
• First posted: 2026-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-02-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt