Latissimus Dorsi Strengthening Exercises in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of strengthening exercises targeting the latissimus dorsi muscle on acromiohumeral distance, shoulder function, and pain levels in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy. By increasing the activation of the latissimus dorsi, one of the shoulder adductor muscles, the exercises are expected to facilitate inferior gliding of the humeral head and improve subacromial distance. Individuals aged between 18 and 50 years with a diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinopathy will be included in the study. A total of 47 participants will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three groups: A group performing exercises targeting only the rotator cuff muscles, A group performing exercises targeting the latissimus dorsi muscle, A group performing a combination of both rotator cuff and latissimus dorsi exercises. The exercise interventions will be applied over a 12-week period. Before and after the intervention, the following outcomes will be assessed: Acromiohumeral distance (via ultrasound), Range of motion, Shoulder function and pain using the SPADI and WORC questionnaires, and Avoidance behavior using the Adap-Tr questionnaire.

NCT Number	NCT07053566
Lead Sponsor	Hacettepe University
Conditions	Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Enrollment	47 participants
Start Date	2025-05-23
Primary Completion	2027-05-22 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-09-22 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-09-15