Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain

University of Alcala

Overview

Blood flow restriction training is widespread in sport performance areas, where it has proven to be beneficial in strength and hypertrophy development. However, there are only few studies related to its effects on subjects with pathology, and currently, there is no recent clinical trial evaluating its effects on patients with RCRSP. We are aiming to define the potential benefits, acute and short-term effects of adding blood flow restriction to a low-load exercise training for patients with RCRSP.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Conditions

Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Side-lying external rotation exercise with a dumbbellOTHER

Side-lying external rotation exercise with a dumbbell (20-30% 1RM). 2 times per week during 4 weeks.

Side-lying external rotation exercise with a dumbbell with 40% arterial occlusion pressure blood flow restrictionOTHER

Side-lying external rotation exercise with a dumbbell (20-30% 1RM) with 40% arterial occlusion pressure blood flow restriction. 2 times per week during 4 weeks.

Side-lying external rotation exercise with a dumbbell with 80% arterial occlusion pressure blood flow restriction

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pain around the antero-lateral (deltoid area) region of the proximal shoulder during active movements in abduction and/or external rotation. * 3/5 positive impingement tests: Neer, Hawkins-Kennedy, empty can, painful arc, and resisted external rotation or abduction. * Pain at rest less than 3cm in a visual analogue scale (VAS). Exclusion Criteria: * Previous shoulder surgery. * Being treated with physical therapy or pharmacogical therapy for shoulder pain. * External rotation range of motion less than 45º or 50% compared to the contralateral side. * Suspected shoulder instability (previous dislocation/subluxation, sulcus sign, anterior drawer test, anterior/posterior aprehension test, relocation test). * Suspected cervical radiculopathy (distraction, spurling, ULNT1, squeeze test, ipsilateral rotation less than 60º) * Presence of neck pain. * Suspected rotator cuff tears (drop arm test, external rotation lag sign, diagnostic imaging). * Contraindications to blood flow restriction therapy.

Locations (1)

Ruben Fernandez-Matias

Alcalá de Henares, Spain

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM)

Conditioned pain modulation estimated using changes in pressure pain threshold measured with a manual algometer and a sphygmomanometer.

Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the first treatment session, 1 month, and 2 months

Secondary Outcomes

Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI)

The SPADI ranges from 0% (no disability) to 100% (maximum degree of disability)

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 2 months

Pain intensity

Mean pain intensity during last week measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), ranging from 0cm (no pain) to 10cm (worst pain)

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 2 months

Pain-free isometric strength

Pain-free isometric shoulder external rotation strength measured using a hand-held dynamometer

Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the first treatment session, 1 month, and 2 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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