NCT07513753

Focal Vibration Therapy in Post-stroke Shoulder Pain

Efficacy of Focal Vibrational Therapy in Reducing Post-stroke Shoulder Pain: a Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Foggia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) is a common and disabling complication after stroke, negatively affecting upper limb function, participation in rehabilitation, and quality of life. Despite the widespread use of conservative and physical therapies, evidence supporting the efficacy of specific non-invasive neuromodulation techniques remains limited. Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) is a non-invasive physical modality that delivers localized mechanical vibration to targeted muscles or tendons and may modulate pain, muscle tone, and proprioception through frequency-dependent mechanisms. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal FVT protocol, in addition to standard rehabilitation, compared with a sham intervention plus standard rehabilitation, in reducing pain in patients with chronic post-stroke Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain.

Detailed description

Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) is a frequent and disabling sequela of stroke, with reported incidence rates ranging from 30% to 65% within the first six months after stroke onset. This variability reflects differences in diagnostic definitions and heterogeneity among studied populations. The underlying pathophysiology of HSP is multifactorial, involving musculoskeletal alterations (e.g., glenohumeral subluxation), abnormal nociceptive processing and central sensitization, and spasticity-related impairments, particularly affecting shoulder adductor and internal rotator muscles. HSP significantly interferes with post-stroke recovery by reducing upper limb motor performance and functional use, impairing participation in rehabilitation programs, and worsening quality of life. Although early and multidisciplinary management is recommended, available therapeutic approaches remain heterogeneous and include positioning strategies, manual therapy, pharmacological treatments, nerve blocks, botulinum toxin injections, dry needling, robotic-assisted therapy, and neuromodulation techniques. Physical therapeutic modalities are commonly used in rehabilitation settings due to their non-invasive nature and potential analgesic and functional benefits. However, evidence regarding their specific effectiveness in the treatment of HSP is inconsistent, and existing reviews often include heterogeneous interventions or focus on invasive approaches, leaving uncertainty about the role of targeted physical neuromodulation. Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) is an emerging physical modality that applies localized mechano-sonic stimulation to muscle bellies or tendon insertions. Its effects are frequency-dependent and include modulation of nociceptive input through spinal gate control mechanisms at low-to-medium frequencies (approximately 35-50 Hz), modulation of muscle tone and proprioception through stimulation of Ia afferent fibers and induction of the tonic vibration reflex at intermediate frequencies (around 100 Hz), and modulation of deep pain perception through activation of Pacinian corpuscles at higher frequencies (approximately 200 Hz). Given the multifactorial nature of HSP and the limitations of current conservative treatments, there is a need to investigate structured intervention protocols integrating advanced physical modalities with standard rehabilitation. This randomized controlled trial will compare a multimodal FVT protocol, delivered in addition to standard rehabilitation, with a sham intervention plus standard rehabilitation in patients with chronic post-stroke HSP. The study will assess changes in pain intensity as the primary outcome, along with secondary outcomes related to shoulder function, range of motion, spasticity, quality of life, persistence of treatment effects, and safety of the intervention.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain
• Chronic Stroke Survivors

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Multimodal Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT)	Participants in the experimental group will receive multimodal Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) delivered using a medical vibration device, in addition to standard post-stroke shoulder rehabilitation. FVT will be applied to selected peri-scapular and shoulder muscles involved in pain generation and motor impairment, according to a standardized protocol. Each treatment session consists of two integrated phases. Physiokinesitherapy Phase (30 minutes): Participants will undergo a standardized rehabilitation protocol targeting recovery of the hemiplegic shoulder. Focal Vibration Therapy Phase (25 minutes): Four dome-shaped transducers will be applied directly to the skin over the muscle bellies of Pectoralis Major, Infraspinatus, Middle Deltoid, and Upper Trapezius. The device will deliver a pre-programmed sequence of vibrations consisting of: * 5 minutes at 35 Hz for superficial analgesia * 10 minutes at 100 Hz for muscle tone reduction * 10 minutes at 200 Hz for deep analgesia
OTHER	Standard Rehabilitation Program	All participants will undergo a standardized post-stroke shoulder rehabilitation program, including passive, active-assisted, and active exercises aimed at pain reduction, range of motion recovery, and functional improvement of the affected upper limb. Each session will consist of the same two phases as the experimental group. Physiokinesitherapy Phase (30 minutes): Identical to that administered in the experimental group. Sham Procedure Phase (25 minutes): Four transducers will be positioned on the same shoulder muscle sites as in the experimental group but connected to inactive outputs of the device, delivering no therapeutic vibration. To maintain participant blinding, an additional active transducer will be applied to a distant site, delivering perceptible vibration. Participants will be informed that the device acts through a systemic reflex stimulation mechanism. Device-related noise and tatactile stimulation on the contralateral limb will function as a sensory distractor.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-01
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2026-04-07
• Last updated: 2026-04-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Italy