The Effect of Shoulder Mobilization on Muscle Strength and Proprioception: a Randomized Double-blind Study

This randomized, double-blind study examines the acute effects of shoulder mobilization on muscle strength and proprioception in healthy individuals. Forty-eight participants (aged 18-25) were randomly assigned to either a mobilization or sham intervention group. Muscle strength and proprioception were assessed before and after treatment. The mobilization group received passive shoulder joint glides, while the sham group underwent a placebo procedure. The study aims to determine whether mobilization affects strength and proprioception immediately.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Male and Female Subjects
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Joint mobilization; Other: Sham

Detailed Description

Summary of the Study

This randomized, double-blind study investigates the acute effects of shoulder joint mobilization on muscle strength and proprioception in healthy individuals compared to a sham intervention.

Background:

The shoulder joint is highly mobile and prone to injury, with rehabilitation often including manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization. Mobilization may enhance joint stability, neuromuscular control, and proprioception by stimulating mechanoreceptors. However, its immediate effects on shoulder proprioception and strength remain unclear.

Methods:

Participants: 48 healthy university students (aged 18-25) randomly assigned to either the mobilization or sham group.

Assessments: Muscle strength (using a handheld dynamometer) and proprioception (laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test) were measured before and after the intervention.

Intervention: The mobilization group received passive shoulder joint glides, while the sham group underwent a placebo procedure without actual joint movement.

Conclusion:

This study aims to determine whether shoulder mobilization has immediate effects on proprioception and strength.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 48
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Ataşehir, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34752
      • Acıbadem University Kerem Aydınlar Campus

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy university students aged 18-25 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with orthopedic problems in the shoulder complex.
• Those who have undergone previous shoulder surgery.
• Participants with prior knowledge of joint mobilization techniques that could affect the sham intervention.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mobilization Group; Participants receive passive shoulder joint mobilization targeting the glenohumeral joint.	Other: Joint mobilization; Participants receive passive shoulder joint mobilization on the dominant-side glenohumeral joint. The mobilization includes inferior, anterior, and posterior glide techniques, each performed for 1 minute at a frequency of 0.5 Hz, with a 30-second rest between each mobilization. The participant is positioned comfortably to support the joint's range of motion.; Other Names: Shoulder joint mobilization; Shoulder joint glides
Sham Comparator: Sham Group; Participants undergo a placebo procedure where the practitioner mimics the mobilization technique without applying actual joint movement or distraction.	Other: Sham; In the sham intervention, the practitioner mimics the technique of shoulder mobilization but does not apply any actual movement or glide effect on the joint. The procedure is designed to closely resemble the real intervention in terms of duration, rhythm, and the practitioner's handling of the participant's shoulder. The practitioner will use superficial touch on the glenohumeral joint without applying any of the mobilizing forces necessary to move the joint.; Other Names: Sham mobilization; Sham shoulder mobilization

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proprioception	Laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test for shoulder: A laser pointer is strapped 5 cm above the lateral epicondyle. Participants actively move their arm to a predefined position (90° flexion or abduction), and the laser projection is marked. After lowering their arm and closing their eyes, they attempt to replicate the same position. The difference between the initial and reproduced positions (in millimeters) is measured	Before the intervention
Proprioception	Laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test for shoulder: A laser pointer is strapped 5 cm above the lateral epicondyle. Participants actively move their arm to a predefined position (90° flexion or abduction), and the laser projection is marked. After lowering their arm and closing their eyes, they attempt to replicate the same position. The difference between the initial and reproduced positions (in millimeters) is measured	Immediately after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Hand-held dynamometer (Lafayette) Muscle strength will be measured using a hand-held dynamometer (Lafayette). The assessment will focus on the shoulder flexors, abductors, internal rotators, and external rotators. Three measurements for each muscle group will be taken, and the average value will be recorded in kilograms (kg).	Before the intervention
Muscle Strength	Hand-held dynamometer (Lafayette) Muscle strength will be measured using a hand-held dynamometer (Lafayette). The assessment will focus on the shoulder flexors, abductors, internal rotators, and external rotators. Three measurements for each muscle group will be taken, and the average value will be recorded in kilograms (kg).	Immediately after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Acibadem University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 28, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 4, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 9, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 18, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: proprioception; strength; shoulder; mobilization
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: salicylhydroxamic acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: ACU-FTR-AOA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

IPD Plan Description

Demographic Data:

Age and gender,

Outcome Measures Data:

Muscle strength values recorded using the hand-held dynamometer for each muscle group (shoulder flexors, abductors, internal rotators, external rotators).

Proprioception data measured by the laser pointer-assisted joint position reproduction test, including the distance (in millimeters) between the initial and reproduced positions for both shoulder flexion and abduction.

Group Assignment Data:

Whether the participant was assigned to the mobilization group or the sham intervention group.

Intervention Data:

Details of the intervention received, including whether they underwent shoulder mobilization or placebo procedure.

Timing of Measurements:

Pre- and post-intervention data for both muscle strength and proprioception assessments.

• IPD Sharing Time Frame: The IPD and supporting information will be made available starting from the date of publication of the study's results. The data will be accessible for 5 years from the publication date to allow for ample time for further analysis, replication studies, or meta-analysis by other researchers.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Who Can Access:

• Researchers, academics, and institutional partners with a legitimate research purpose.
• Regulatory agencies or health organizations.

What They Can Access:

• Anonymized IPD (muscle strength, proprioception, demographics).
• Supporting information (study protocol, SAP,)

How They Can Access:

• Data will be shared upon contact with the study team.
• Interested parties must request access, and data will be provided following review and approval.

• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No