Effects of Nunchaku Exercise for Improving Frozen Shoulder
Effects of Nunchaku Exercise on Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) in Middle-aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Chinese University of Hong Kong
50 participants
Apr 14, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if nunchaku exercise works to treat adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder in middle-aged or older adults. It will also learn about the adherence of this exercise intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does practicing nunchaku exercises help reduce shoulder pain and improve shoulder movement? * Do people stick with nunchaku exercises better, and spend more time practicing on their own, compared with standard exercises for alleviating frozen-shoulder? Researchers will compare nunchaku exercise to standard exercises for alleviating frozen-shoulder to see if nunchaku exercise works to alleviate frozen shoulder. Participants will: * Join small group exercise classes for 12 weeks, doing either nunchaku based exercises or standard exercises designed to help relieve frozen shoulder. * Have their shoulder pain and movement checked three times: * before training * after 6 weeks of training, * after finishing the 12 week program, and * 12 weeks after the program ends. * Keep a record of their home practice time.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- Ethnic Chinese;
- Age 45 years or above;
- Diagnosed with Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) and currently in the thawing stage.
Exclusion Criteria3
- Presence of secondary causes of shoulder stiffness, including recent trauma, post-surgical stiffness, or structural lesions such as full-thickness rotator cuff tears or severe glenohumeral arthritis;
- Receipt of recent shoulder treatments known to influence short-term outcomes, including corticosteroid injections within the past three months, hydrodilatation, manipulation under anesthesia, arthroscopic capsular release within the past six months, or structured shoulder physiotherapy within the past three months;
- Presence of somatic conditions that limit their ability to participate safely in exercise (e.g., inability to walk without an assistive device).
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Interventions
Participants in this group will be offered a 12-week rehabilitation program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. This program has been designed by a registered physiotherapist in accordance with the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong's self-care guidelines. Each session includes joint mobilization exercises, end-range stretching using a towel or stick, and muscle-strengthening and stabilizing exercises. The training will be conducted in small groups by trained exercise instructors, and you will be encouraged to continue practicing these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Participants randomized to the Nunchaku Exercise group will participate in a 12-week training program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. To prioritize safety and minimize the risk of injury, you will use a soft towel with a knot at each end to simulate nunchaku movements (Figure 1). The training focuses on the level one syllabus of the standard nunchaku system, which involves rhythmic multi-angle movements, such as figure-eight trajectories and alternating hand transfers. Classes will be conducted in small groups by certified coaches from the Hong Kong Nunchaku Association, and you will be encouraged to perform these exercises independently at home between sessions.
Locations(1)
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NCT07486193