The Immediate Effects of First Rib Mobilization on Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Shoulder Pain
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: First Rib Mobilization, Sham Comparator.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Shoulder Pain. Basic parameters: 18 years — 75 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine whether one session of a specific manual physical therapy technique, known as first rib mobilization, can lead to immediate improvements in pain and movement in individuals with shoulder pain. We hypothesize that this single treatment will result in reduced pain and increased ability to move the shoulder and neck. Researchers will compare first rib mobilization to a sham mobilization (a look-alike hands-on position that does not mobilize the first rib) to see if first rib mobilization works to immediately reduce pain and improve movement in patients with shoulder pain. Participants will receive first rib mobilization or a sham mobilization during a single session of physical therapy and will receive pre and post intervention measurements of their pain levels and neck and shoulder range of motion.
Interventions
- Other First Rib Mobilization
Participants in the mobilization group will receive either a seated or supine three stage progressive muscle energy technique (MET) plus a singular high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust (HVLAT) mobilization technique directed to their first rib on their symptomatic side based on the discretion of the treating physical therapist. - Other Sham Comparator
Participants in the sham mobilization (control) group will be placed in a supine, hook-lying position identical to the mobilization group; however, they will be instructed to inhale and exhale 3 times using diaphragmatic breathing (avoiding upper chest recruitment) as the physical therapist gently rests his or her hand over the area of the upper trapezius muscle just proximal to the first rib to simulate a sham mobilization hand placement. Therefore, physical therapists will not use any signific
Primary outcome measures
- Range of motion [Time frame: Cervical and shoulder active range of motion will be assessed in participants in both groups at baseline and immediately following the intervention]
- Pain Intensity [Time frame: Change in pain intensity from baseline to immediately following intervention in both groups]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Global Rating of Change [Time frame: This will be administered to participants in both groups immediately after intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Men and Women
- Ages 18-75 years old
- Attending physical therapy
- Primary complaint of shoulder pain
- Pain intensity >3/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
- A Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Quick DASH) score greater than 16% impaired
Exclusion criteria
- Previous shoulder or neck surgery
- Clinical signs of a full rotator cuff tear (positive drop arm test)
- Having positive MRI findings of a complete rotator cuff tear
- Having a positive Spurling's test
- Having a steroid injection in the cervical spine and/or shoulder in the last two months
- Having any red flags (history of cancer, upper motor neuron disorder, fractures, osteoporosis, acute inflammatory process)
- Expressing fear/anxiety related to receiving manual therapy treatment
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Lebanon Valley College — Annville
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07064772 · 25-095