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Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training Versus Pilates on Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

20 maj 2026 uppdaterad av: Manar Tarek Abdelnaser Abdelmohimen, Cairo University

Blood Flow Restriction Versus Pilates Exercises in Treatment of Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain, accounting for a large proportion of musculoskeletal complaints. It is characterized by narrowing of the subacromial space, leading to pain, weakness, limited range of motion, and impaired shoulder function. Muscle weakness, especially of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, plays a major role in its pathomechanics.

Although conventional strengthening exercises are effective, they are often delayed until pain subsides, which may prolong recovery. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and Pilates exercises have recently emerged as promising approaches that may enhance strength and function during earlier, painful stages of rehabilitation. However, limited research has compared both interventions in patients with SAIS. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effectiveness of BFR training versus Pilates exercises, in addition to conventional therapy, on pain, function, range of motion, muscle strength, and proprioception in patients with painful SAIS.

Studieöversikt

Detaljerad beskrivning

Shoulder pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints, ranking as the third most common condition encountered in primary care settings. Among the various causes of shoulder pain, subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) represents the most frequent diagnosis, accounting for nearly half to two-thirds of reported shoulder pain cases. SAIS is characterized by narrowing of the subacromial space, resulting in compression and irritation of soft tissues such as the supraspinatus tendon, long head of biceps tendon, subacromial bursa, and joint capsule.

Clinically, patients with SAIS present with pain during overhead activities, muscle weakness, and a painful arc of motion, particularly between 60° and 120° of shoulder elevation. Weakness of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing muscles contributes significantly to altered scapulohumeral rhythm and compromised glenohumeral stability. Consequently, muscle strengthening is considered a cornerstone in rehabilitation programs.

Traditional resistance training typically requires moderate to high loads (around 60% of one-repetition maximum) to achieve strength gains. However, during the painful phases of SAIS, patients may not tolerate heavy loading, leading to delayed initiation of strengthening exercises and prolonged recovery time. Therefore, alternative strengthening strategies that minimize mechanical stress while promoting muscle adaptation are needed.

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a technique that applies controlled external pressure to partially restrict arterial inflow and venous outflow, enabling strength gains with low-load resistance (approximately 20-30% of 1RM). It stimulates metabolic stress and anabolic pathways, enhancing muscle hypertrophy and strength while reducing joint stress.

Pilates exercises, on the other hand, are mind-body exercises based on principles of control, concentration, centering, precision, breathing, and flow. They emphasize neuromuscular control, core stability, scapular alignment, and coordinated movement patterns. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of Pilates in improving pain, function, and muscle strength in various musculoskeletal disorders, including shoulder conditions.

Despite the promising effects of both BFR and Pilates, limited evidence directly compares their effectiveness in shoulder rehabilitation, particularly in patients with SAIS. To the author's knowledge, no previous study has directly compared these two interventions in managing painful subacromial impingement syndrome. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of BFR training and Pilates exercises, in addition to conventional therapy, on pain intensity, functional disability, shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and proprioception in patients with SAIS.

Studietyp

Interventionell

Inskrivning (Beräknad)

48

Fas

  • Inte tillämpbar

Kontakter och platser

Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.

Studiekontakt

  • Namn: Manar Tarek Abdelnaser, Demonstrator
  • Telefonnummer: +2001226874389 +2001553437534
  • E-post: tm610587@gmail.com

Studieorter

      • Rāshid, Egypten
        • Rekrytering
        • Faculty of physical therapy, Rashid university

Deltagandekriterier

Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.

Urvalskriterier

Åldrar som är berättigade till studier

  • Barn

Tar emot friska volontärer

Nej

Beskrivning

Inclusion Criteria:

1 - Age ranging from 18 to 55 years of both genders, with BMI ranging 18.5 to 29.9 Kg/m2 2. Clinically diagnosed with SIS, based on having ≥ 3 positive results of the following; pain during shoulder elevation and overhead activities, the painful arc, Neer impingement, Hawkins-Kennedy impingement, external rotation resistance, or empty can tests 3. Symptoms duration between 4 to 12 weeks (subacute and chronic phases)

4. pain level should be ranged from 3 to 8 on the VAS .

Exclusion Criteria:

1 - History of shoulder surgery, traumatic injury or systematic diseases 2. Any cervical problems as cervical disc & any patient with radioculopathy. 3. Pregnancy. 4. Acute stage of subacromial impingement syndrome 5. Full thickness tear confirmed by the orthopaedist. 6. subjects shouldn't receive any physical therapy sessions in the past 3 months to minimize any confounders to treatment.

Studieplan

Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.

Hur är studien utformad?

Designdetaljer

  • Primärt syfte: Behandling
  • Tilldelning: Randomiserad
  • Interventionsmodell: Parallellt uppdrag
  • Maskning: Enda

Vapen och interventioner

Deltagargrupp / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Experimentell: Low-load resistance training with BFR
Participants will perform low-load resistance training combined with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and include exercises for shoulder muscles with cuffs applied to the upper arm to partially restrict blood flow, ensuring safety and gradual load progression combined with cool's exercises
Participants will perform low-load resistance training combined with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and include exercises for shoulder muscles with cuffs applied to the upper arm to partially restrict blood flow, ensuring safety and gradual load progression.
Experimentell: Pilates exercises group
Participants will perform supervised Pilates exercises 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and include mat-based exercises, resistance band work, and equipment-assisted movements targeting shoulder mobility, stability, and posture. Exercises will be progressively adjusted according to participant tolerance and performance combined with cool's exercises
Participants will perform supervised Pilates exercises 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and include mat-based exercises, resistance band work, and equipment-assisted movements targeting shoulder mobility, stability, and posture. Exercises will be progressively adjusted according to participant tolerance and performance.
Aktiv komparator: Control group
Participants will perform standard Cool's exercises 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and focus on targeted shoulder rehabilitation movements designed to improve flexibility, muscle activation, and pain reduction. Exercises will be supervised and progressively adapted based on participant performance.
: Participants will perform standard Cool's exercises 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and focus on targeted shoulder rehabilitation movements designed to improve flexibility, muscle activation, and pain reduction. Exercises will be supervised and progressively adapted based on participant performance

Vad mäter studien?

Primära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Shoulder Pain
Tidsram: Baseline, week 2, week 4
Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale, a 0-10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Patients will mark their pain at rest and during shoulder activity. This outcome assesses the effectiveness of the interventions in reducing pain.
Baseline, week 2, week 4
Shoulder Function (SPADI)
Tidsram: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Shoulder function will be evaluated using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), which includes pain and disability subscales. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. This measure evaluates functional improvement after the intervention.
Baseline, Week 2, Week 4

Sekundära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Range of Motion (ROM)
Tidsram: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Active shoulder ROM (flexion, abduction) will be measured using a Inclinometer by a physical therapist. This assesses the interventions' effect on mobility.
Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Muscle Strength
Tidsram: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Shoulder abduction and external rotation strength will be measured using a hand-held dynamometer. The outcome evaluates changes in muscular capacity after the intervention
Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Shoulder proprioception
Tidsram: Baseline, Week 4
Measures the participant's ability to actively reproduce specific shoulder angles. Assesses improvement in sensorimotor control after intervention.
Baseline, Week 4

Samarbetspartners och utredare

Det är här du hittar personer och organisationer som är involverade i denna studie.

Utredare

  • Huvudutredare: Enas Fawzy Youssf, Professor of physical therapy, Cairo University

Publikationer och användbara länkar

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Användbara länkar

Studieavstämningsdatum

Dessa datum spårar framstegen för inlämningar av studieposter och sammanfattande resultat till ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter och rapporterade resultat granskas av National Library of Medicine (NLM) för att säkerställa att de uppfyller specifika kvalitetskontrollstandarder innan de publiceras på den offentliga webbplatsen.

Studera stora datum

Studiestart (Beräknad)

23 maj 2026

Primärt slutförande (Beräknad)

15 december 2026

Avslutad studie (Beräknad)

15 januari 2027

Studieregistreringsdatum

Först inskickad

20 maj 2026

Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

20 maj 2026

Första postat (Faktisk)

27 maj 2026

Uppdateringar av studier

Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)

27 maj 2026

Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

20 maj 2026

Senast verifierad

1 maj 2026

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