Scapular Blackburn Stabilization Versus PNF in Impingement Syndrome (impingment)

January 29, 2026 updated by: Mostafa Esmat Fouad Ebrahem, Cairo University

Scapular Blackburn Stabilization Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

purpose of study to Aim to investigate effect(s) of scapular Blackburn stabilization exercises compared toscapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (SPNF) exercise in addition to conventional exercises on shoulder pain, function, shoulder,sacpular ROM, scapular muscle strength and scapular orientation in patients with sub acromial impingement syndrome

Participants will be randomly allocated to three groups as follow:

Group A (n=17): will receive a program of conventional exercise include rotator cuff strengthening ,stretching for posterior capsule and stretching for pectoralis minor for 18 sessions (3 sessions per week for six weeks) Group B (n=17): will receive a scapular PNF exercise program in addition to conventional Exercise with the same frequency. Group C (n=17): will receive a scapular Blackburn stabilization exercises in addition to conventional Exercise with the same frequency

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Sub-acromial impingement syndrome(SIS) is the most frequent cause of pain and overhead reach limitation in the shoulder area. It occurs when there is impingement of tendons or bursa in the shoulder from bones of the shoulder. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to the development of SIS include inflammation in the supra humeral space, inhibition of the rotator cuff muscles, degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons, abnormal scapular position and kinematics. Currently SIS covers a range of pathologies from sub acromial bursitis to rotator cuff tendinopathy and full thickness rotator cuff tears.

The trial will guide physical therapists in selecting effective therapeutic interventions for patients with SAIS and scapular dyskinesia, aiming to reduce the number of treatment sessions, speed up recovery, and improve shoulder pain and functional abilities.

Scapular Blackburn stabilization exercise minimizes excessive superior translation of the humeral head in the glenoid fossa during elevation and subacromial space impingement, consequently addressing shoulder impingement. It also strengthens the scapulothoracic and rotator cuff muscles and decreases muscle imbalance.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation has been described as a comprehensive rehabilitation concept, promoting motor learning, motor control, strength and mobility.

This comprehensive rehabilitation approach includes task-oriented training with manual facilitation aimed at motor learning and motor control.

therefore, what are the effects of scapular Blackburn stabilization and PNF techniques in addition to conventional exercises on shoulder pain, function, shoulder ROM, scapular muscle strength, and scapular orientation in patients with sub acromial impingement syndrome?

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

51

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Giza Governorate
      • Cairo, Giza Governorate, Egypt, 022
        • Faculty of Physical Therapy Cairo University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Fifty one Male and female patients with SIS and aged between 30-50.

    2. Body mass index (BMI) 18.5-29.9 kg/m2.

    3. patients complaining primary shoulder impingement.

    4. patients with altered scapular resting positions with scapular dyskinesia with positive lateral scapular slide test.

    5- patients will be included at least three special tests positive from the following tests:

A-Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Test:

B-Neer"s Impingement Test:

C- "Empty Can" or Jobe Test D-painful arc test

E-External rotation resistance test

F-Cross-body adduction test

G-Drop arm sign

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1- Neurological deficit affecting the shoulder function during daily activities.

    2-Cervical disc pathology.

    3- Brain injures.

    4- Fractures in the upper limb

    5-Undergone shoulder surgery

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental.
receive a scapular PNF exercise program in addition to conventional Exercise ,
Other: scapular Blackburn stabilization plus exercise
scapular Blackburn stabilization
Experimental: Experimental
receive a scapular Blackburn stabilization exercises in addition to conventional Exercise
Other: PNF plus Exercise
PNF plus Exercise
Other: control group
Exercise only
Other: exercise only
Exercise only

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
shoulder pain and functional disability
Time Frame: Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
Shoulder pain and disability index., minimum number 0=mean No pain and No disabilities and maximum number 10=mean highest pain and maximum disability
Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
A-shoulder flexion ROM B- shoulder external rotation C-shoulder internal rotation
Time Frame: Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
Digital Inclinometer.
Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
selective muscle strength on: A- upper trapezius B- middle trapezius C-lower trapezius. D- serrates anterior
Time Frame: Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
-Lafayette Hand-held dynamometer
Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
scapula orientation
Time Frame: Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment
lateral scapular slide test
Assessment procedure will be performed pre intervention and post third and sixth week of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Cairo University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Enas F. Youssef, Prof.Dr, chair person of Department of Physical therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorder and its Surgery

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

July 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 18, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 13, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

August 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 29, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Blackburn versus PNF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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