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Implementation of Shoulder School in Albania
Sponsor: University of Valladolid
Summary
Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can cause pain, movement limitations, disability, and difficulties performing daily and occupational activities. Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) is one of the most common clinical presentations among people seeking care for shoulder problems. Exercise therapy is recommended as a first-line conservative treatment for RCRSP. Progressive resistance training and motor control exercises can improve pain and shoulder function, while exercises targeting thoracic mobility and scapular and glenohumeral function may be useful for addressing individual movement and functional limitations. However, there is still uncertainty about the optimal selection, intensity, volume, and progression of exercises for individual patients. 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 RCRSP referred to Primary Care Physiotherapy Units in Albania, regarding pain, functional capacity, and quality of life. Methods Design: Single-blind, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled non-inferiority study. Sample: Patients with RCRSP referred to primary care in Albania. Dependent Variables: Pain, functional capacity, quality of life, joint mobility, isometrical strenght, 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.
Official title: Implementation of Shoulder School in Albania. A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-11
Completion Date
2028-03
Last Updated
2026-10-21
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Shoulder school
A therapeutic exercise protocol will be carried out, consisting of 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks, supervised and guided by a physiotherapist. The objective is to improve thoracic mobility, as well as the strength and motor control of the scapular retractor and protractor muscles (middle and lower trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior) and the rotator cuff.
Standard Care (in control arm)
The protocol will include the application of therapeutic ultrasound, TENS, and kinesitherapy which will be applied through classic shoulder mobility exercises.