Shoulder School: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Patients with SIS present with localized shoulder pain, sometimes nocturnal, which leads to a decrease in shoulder strength and function, significantly affecting their quality of life. Several authors have proposed that reduced scapular movement could be a direct causal mechanism for the symptoms associated with SIS. There is evidence supporting the benefits of passive techniques applied to the scapula and thoracic spine in terms of symptom relief and improved function. The high healthcare demand from patients with SIS, combined with long waiting lists in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and trauma services related to this dysfunction, underscores the need for a group-based therapeutic exercise strategy. Objective To analyze the effects of a shoulder school program led by a physiotherapist and based on therapeutic exercise focused on active scapular and thoracic work, compared to conventional treatment in patients with SIS referred to Primary Care Physiotherapy Units (UFAP), regarding pain, functional capacity, and quality of life. Methods Design: Single-blind, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled non-inferiority study. Sample: Patients with SIS referred to UFAP. Dependent Variables: Pain, functional capacity, quality of life, joint mobility, scapular function, and patient satisfaction. Independent Variables: Intervention group: Shoulder school program including exercises focused on scapular, thoracic, and rotator cuff function. Control group: Conventional physiotherapy treatment. Randomization: Cluster randomization by centers. Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Clinical Implications This study will provide objective data on the effects of implementing a group exercise program guided by a physiotherapist. The results could offer evidence for a resource that may be highly useful in Primary Care Physiotherapy. This approach has the potential to optimize labor, time, and space resources within this healthcare service.

NCT Number	NCT06778551
Lead Sponsor	Sandra Jiménez-del-Barrio Collaborators: Sanidad de Castilla y León
Conditions	Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Enrollment	40 participants
Start Date	2025-01-23
Primary Completion	2025-10-20 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-06-20 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-06-12