Effects of Nunchaku Exercise for Improving Frozen Shoulder
ConditionAdhesive Capsulitis
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age45+
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong
About this trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if nunchaku exercise works to treat adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder in middle-aged or older adults. It will also learn about the adherence of this exercise intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does practicing nunchaku exercises help reduce shoulder pain and improve shoulder movement? * Do people stick with nunchaku exercises better, and spend more time practicing on their own, compared with standard exercises for alleviating frozen-shoulder?
Researchers will compare nunchaku exercise to standard exercises for alleviating frozen-shoulder to see if nunchaku exercise works to alleviate frozen shoulder.
Participants will:
* Join small group exercise classes for 12 weeks, doing either nunchaku based exercises or standard exercises designed to help relieve frozen shoulder. * Have their shoulder pain and movement checked three times:
* before training * after 6 weeks of training, * after finishing the 12 week program, and * 12 weeks after the program ends. * Keep a record of their home practice time.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Ethnic Chinese;
Age 45 years or above;
Diagnosed with Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) and currently in the thawing stage.
Disqualifiers
Presence of secondary causes of shoulder stiffness, including recent trauma, post-surgical stiffness, or structural lesions such as full-thickness rotator cuff tears or severe glenohumeral arthritis;
Receipt of recent shoulder treatments known to influence short-term outcomes, including corticosteroid injections within the past three months, hydrodilatation, manipulation under anesthesia, arthroscopic capsular release within the past six months, or structured shoulder physiotherapy within the past three months;
Presence of somatic conditions that limit their ability to participate safely in exercise (e.g., inability to walk without an assistive device).
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Shoulder Mobilization and Stretching Exercise (SMSE)
BehavioralParticipants in this group will be offered a 12-week rehabilitation program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. This program has been designed by a registered physiotherapist in accordance with the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong's self-care guidelines. Each session includes joint mobilization exercises, end-range stretching using a towel or stick, and muscle-strengthening and stabilizing exercises. The training will be conducted in small groups by trained exercise instructors, and you will be encouraged to continue practicing these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Nunchaku Exercise
BehavioralParticipants randomized to the Nunchaku Exercise group will participate in a 12-week training program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. To prioritize safety and minimize the risk of injury, you will use a soft towel with a knot at each end to simulate nunchaku movements (Figure 1). The training focuses on the level one syllabus of the standard nunchaku system, which involves rhythmic multi-angle movements, such as figure-eight trajectories and alternating hand transfers. Classes will be conducted in small groups by certified coaches from the Hong Kong Nunchaku Association, and you will be encouraged to perform these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Treatment groups
50 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Shoulder Mobilization and Stretching Exercise (SMSE)Active comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Nunchaku ExerciseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
SPADI will be used to assess shoulder pain and functional limitations during daily living activities. SPADI, comprising 5 items to assess pain and 8 to assess disability, is widely used to evaluate the negative impact of frozen shoulder. Its Chinese version has been validated in China with good internal consistency and reliability
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeksSecondary outcomes
1
Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS)
The perception of pain during resting, and ordinary daily activities will be assessed using VAS. Participants will be instructed to draw a mark on a 10-cm line, with one end indicating no pain and the other indicating worst pain imaginable, to indicate their pain level
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks2
Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
Overall shoulder function will be assessed using the CMS. CMS assesses 4 domains, including pain, how shoulder function affects daily activity, pain-free range of motion, and muscle strength. This instrument has been validated in China. This assessment will be conducted by a registered physiotherapist.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks3
Pain-free Range of Motion (ROM)
The pain-free ROM of forward and lateral elevation during flexion and abduction will be measured using a goniometer. The assessment will be conducted by a registered physiotherapist.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeks4
Enjoyment of intervention
Enjoyment of intervention will be assessed using the Eight-Item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-8).
Time frame
From mid-intervention at 6 weeks to to the end of follow-up period at 24 weeksSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov