Cognitive Functional Therapy for Chronic Shoulder Pain: Pilot and Feasibility Study

Last updated: February 17, 2025
Sponsor: Federal University of Paraíba
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Chronic Shoulder Pain

Weight Loss

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Treatment

Exercises

Cognitive Functional Therapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT06542666
79422824.0.0000.5188
  • Ages 18-60
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This pilot randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) will assess the feasibility and identify the key components necessary for conducting the main RCT, which will involve the comparison of Cognitive Functional Therapy with Therapeutic Exercises in individuals with chronic shoulder pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • What barriers to the participation of the included individuals might arise?

  • Will the assessment procedures and outcome measures be feasible and suitable?

  • What time will be necessary to conduct the assessments?

  • Will participants be willing to be randomized to the proposed treatment groups?

  • What barriers to the clinical delivery of Cognitive Functional Therapy in the healthcare system might exist?

  • Will the treatment(s) be acceptable to patients?

  • Will participants adhere to the treatment?

  • What will the recruitment rates be per week/month?

  • Will there be any selection bias?

  • Will participant retention be high among the allocation groups?

  • Will the data be complete?

  • What will the data variability be?

  • Will the treatment effects/outcomes be consistent with expectations and previous literature?

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men and women;

  • Age between 18 and 60 years;

  • Presence of shoulder pain for more than 3 months;

  • Pain intensity of 4 points or more on the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale duringthe past week.

  • High level of disability or moderate level of irritability.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of fracture or surgery of the clavicle, scapula, and/or humerus, surgicalstabilization or rotator cuff repair;

  • History of dislocation, instability (positive sulcus sign or apprehension test),and/or rotator cuff tear (positive drop arm test);

  • Adhesive capsulitis verified by the presence of gradual onset pain associated withstiffness and reduced passive and active mobility;

  • Ongoing pregnancy;

  • Reproduction of shoulder pain radiating to the entire upper limb during cervical orthoracic spine tests (positive Spurling test);

  • Neurological or systemic diseases that may alter muscle strength and sensitivitysuch as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, gout, and diabetes;

  • Corticosteroid injection in the shoulder region in the last 3 months;

  • Physiotherapy treatment in the last 6 months.

Study Design

Total Participants: 24
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Exercises
Phase:
Study Start date:
February 17, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
September 01, 2025

Study Description

Shoulder pain is a potentially debilitating musculoskeletal condition, with functional, physical, and psychological impact. Its chronicity has been mainly correlated with affective-emotional and cognitive dimensions of pain. In this scenario, interventions for individuals with chronic shoulder pain should be seen within the biopsychosocial model. In this context, Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) emerges as a psychologically informed physiotherapeutic approach directed towards the biopsychosocial and multidimensional nature of pain, which is divided into three approaches to reduce pain and disability: (1) understanding pain, (2) controlled exposure, and (3) lifestyle change. The present study aims to verify the feasibility and viability of a randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of Cognitive Functional Therapy with therapeutic exercises in individuals with chronic shoulder pain.

Connect with a study center

  • Federal University of Paraíba

    João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-970
    Brazil

    Active - Recruiting

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