Effects of Dry Needling in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
ConditionSubacromial Pain Syndrome
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-40
SponsorUniversidad Europea de Valencia
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
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.
Disqualifiers
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.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Dry needling
Procedure/SurgeryDry needling will be applied to active myofascial trigger points identified in scapulohumeral muscles commonly associated with subacromial pain syndrome, including supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, and anterior and middle deltoid muscles. Trigger points will be identified through standardized clinical examination. The intervention will be performed by an experienced physiotherapist using sterile disposable needles and a standardized fast in-fast out technique. Participants will receive two dry needling sessions separated by a 10-day interval.
Therapeutic Exercise
BehavioralParticipants will perform a structured home-based therapeutic exercise program focused on shoulder strengthening, neuromuscular control, and sensorimotor function using elastic resistance bands. The exercise program will be performed three times per week for 3 weeks following a standardized protocol. Participants will receive individualized instruction, exercise materials, and adherence monitoring throughout the intervention period.
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Dry needling + therapeutic exerciseExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Therapeutic exerciseActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Shoulder Proprioception Assessed With the Joint Position Sense Test
Shoulder proprioception will be evaluated using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test. Participants will actively reproduce a predefined shoulder position (abduction at 60°), and the absolute angular repositioning error in degrees will be recorded using an inclinometer. Scores range from 0 degrees (perfect repositioning) to no defined upper limit, with lower values indicating better proprioceptive accuracy.
Time frame
Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention sessionSecondary outcomes
1
Dynamic Shoulder Stability Assessed With the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Dynamic shoulder stability will be assessed using the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ). Reach distances in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions will be recorded in centimeters, with a minimum score of 0 cm and no predefined upper limit. Greater reach distance indicates better dynamic stability and sensorimotor performance.
Time frame
Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session2
Isometric Shoulder Strength Assessed With Handheld Dynamometry
Isometric strength of the shoulder abductors and rotator muscles will be measured using a handheld dynamometer during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Force values are recorded in Newtons, with a minimum of 0 N and no predefined upper limit. Higher force values indicate greater muscle strength.
Time frame
Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session3
Pain Intensity Assessed With the Numeric Rating Scale
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Lower scores indicate lower pain intensity.
Time frame
Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention session4
Upper Limb Disability Assessed With the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire
Functional disability of the upper limb will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, scored from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates maximum disability. Higher scores indicate greater disability and functional impairment.
Time frame
Baseline, 10 days after the first intervention session, and 10 days after the second intervention sessionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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