Effects of Myofascial Chain Tension Modulation Combined With Scapular Corrective Exercise on Scapular Movement Performance and Functional Outcomes in Tennis Players With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

January 27, 2026 updated by: China Medical University Hospital
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Integrated scapular rehabilitation combines Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and postural correction exercises. IASTM detects soft tissue restrictions through multidirectional strokes and enhances the pain threshold of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) via reflex hyperemia. Postural correction exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones to improve stability and posture. The combination of these interventions may enhance scapular stability and dynamic control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrated scapular rehabilitation on scapular kinematics, movement correction, functional improvement, and pain management in tennis athletes with SIS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention effects.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Participants aged 20 years or older were recruited. Outcome measures included pain intensity, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation), modified Scapular Assistance Test (mSAT), muscle strength (upper, middle, and lower trapezius; serratus anterior; rhomboids; levator scapulae; internal and external rotators), soft tissue elasticity (upper trapezius), myofascial trigger point pain threshold (upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids), subacromial space, and supraspinatus thickness.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

36

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 Contact

Study Contact Backup

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

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants were included if they met all of the following conditions:

    1. a VAS score greater than 3 during the Hawkins test (indicating mild to moderate pain),
    2. at least two positive results among the Hawkins test, Neer test, and painful arch test, and
    3. a positive result on the mSAT. Only participants who fulfilled all three criteria were enrolled in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants were excluded if they had a history of clavicle, scapular, or humeral fractures; shoulder dislocation; or rotator cuff surgery; positive results on the cervical compression test, apprehension test, or drop arm test; had received corticosteroid injections within the past three months; had undergone physical therapy within the past six months; or reported a VAS score higher than 9.

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Integrated scapular rehabilitation training (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization+ Exercise)
The integrated scapular rehabilitation training group received a specially designed scapular core rehabilitation program, which included the use of IASTM to inhibit overactive and tight muscles, targeted stretching exercises, strengthening training for elongated or weakened muscles, and finally, movement integration through multi-joint exercises.
Device: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
IASTM is an assistive instrument designed to reduce the physical effort required by the practitioner and can be applied without a specific directional pattern. It aims to induce localized reactive hyperemia through repeated application, temporarily alter tissue rheological properties, and modulate sensory feedback via cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Its mechanisms involve both mechanical and neurophysiological components.
Device: Elastic band
Elastic resistance bands of different colors were used for resistance training, with training intensity increased or decreased by selecting bands of varying resistance levels.
Active Comparator: Conventional rehabilitation (Stretch+ Exercise)
The conventional rehabilitation training group received only traditional rehabilitation exercises, including stretching and strengthening training.
Device: Elastic band
Elastic resistance bands of different colors were used for resistance training, with training intensity increased or decreased by selecting bands of varying resistance levels.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Pain (VAS score during the Hawkins test)
Time Frame: Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
Participants were assessed at time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), immediately three weeks after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

China Medical University Hospital

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 (Estimated)

February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 27, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CMUH114-REC3-210

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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