Effect of Mobilization With Movement in Patients With Rotator Cuff Lesions
The Effect of Mobilization With Movement on Function, Pain, and Joint Position Sense in Patients With Rotator Cuff Lesions: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
75 participants
Aug 25, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of Mobilization with Movement (MWM) on pain, functional status, and joint position sense in individuals with rotator cuff lesions. Rotator cuff pathology is a common cause of shoulder pain and functional limitation, and impairments in proprioception may further compromise shoulder motor control and recovery. Eligible participants with rotator cuff lesions will be randomly allocated into three groups: (1) Mobilization with Movement (MWM), (2) conventional physiotherapy, and (3) control group. All participants will be evaluated before and after the intervention period. Outcome measures will include shoulder-related functional disability assessed by the QuickDASH questionnaire, pain intensity, and shoulder joint position sense evaluated using an active repositioning test with a laser pointer during shoulder flexion. The study is designed to determine whether MWM provides additional benefits over conventional treatment or no intervention in improving pain, function, and proprioceptive accuracy. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based conservative rehabilitation strategies for patients with rotator cuff lesions.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Clinical and/or imaging-confirmed diagnosis of rotator cuff lesion (e.g., tendinopathy or partial tear)
- Presence of shoulder pain for at least 3 months
- Pain and functional limitation during shoulder movements
- Ability to actively perform shoulder movements required for assessment and intervention
- No physiotherapy or manual therapy treatment for the affected shoulder within the last 3 months
Exclusion Criteria10
- History of shoulder surgery on the affected side
- Full-thickness rotator cuff tear or shoulder instability
- Shoulder fracture, dislocation, or acute trauma within the past 6 months
- Neurological disorders affecting the upper extremity (e.g., cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy)
- Systemic inflammatory or rheumatologic diseases
- Severe shoulder osteoarthritis or adhesive capsulitis
- Current participation in another clinical trial
- Use of corticosteroid injection in the affected shoulder within the last 3 months
- Pregnancy
- Inability to comply with the study protocol or assessment procedures
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Interventions
Participants assigned to the Mobilization with Movement (MWM) group will receive manual therapy based on the Mulligan concept. The intervention will consist of the application of sustained, pain-free accessory mobilization to the glenohumeral joint combined with active physiological shoulder movements, primarily in shoulder flexion and abduction. The direction and grade of mobilization will be individually determined according to the patient's symptoms and movement restrictions, ensuring that all movements are performed within a pain-free range. MWM interventions will be administered by a trained physiotherapist following a standardized treatment protocol. Each treatment session will last approximately 20-30 minutes and will be applied multiple times per week throughout the intervention period. The primary goal of the intervention is to improve joint mechanics, reduce pain, and enhance proprioceptive input by facilitating normal, pain-free movement patterns.
Participants allocated to the conventional physiotherapy group will receive a standard rehabilitation program commonly used for rotator cuff lesions. The intervention will include therapeutic exercises targeting shoulder range of motion, strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing muscles, and stretching exercises for periarticular soft tissues. Physical therapy modalities such as heat or ultrasound may be applied as needed for pain management. This intervention will be delivered by a physiotherapist according to established clinical guidelines. Mobilization with Movement or other Mulligan-based manual therapy techniques will not be included in this group.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07383038