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BFRT for Subacromial Pain
Blood Flow Restriction Training for Subacromial Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 to 50 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria * Between 18 and 50 years of age * Unilateral pain in the anterolateral shoulder * Self-reported shoulder function of ≤7 (10, full function) * At least 90° of active shoulder elevation * 3 out of 5 positive tests to define subacromial pain. Exclusion Criteria (general): * history of shoulder fracture, frozen shoulder, or shoulder surgery * primary complaint of shoulder instability/dislocation * history of cardiovascular, neurologic, and pulmonary conditions that would impair the subject's ability to participate in physical therapy * active treatment for cancer * uncontrolled diabetes * uncontrolled high blood pressure * corticosteroid injection at the shoulder within 6 weeks * imaging evidence of rotator cuff tears * pregnancy Exclusion criteria (Blood flow restriction training specific) * contraindications to BFRT (sickle cell anemia, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral circulatory diseases) * taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs
About the study
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if blood flow restriction training is safe and feasible in patients with subacromial pain. The main questions the investigators aim to answer are:
* What problems do participants with shoulder pain encounter when training with blood flow restriction? * Is it feasible to apply blood flow restriction training as part of a physical therapy intervention? * What are some preliminary effects of blood flow restriction training on the recovery of shoulder function and strength?
The investigators will compare active blood flow restriction training to sham (an inactive procedure designed to mimic the active training as closely as possible).
Participants will:
* Visit the clinic for physical therapy visits and exercise with blood flow restriction training for up to 8 weeks * Visit the clinic for tests before starting the treatment, during the treatment (4 weeks), and after the end of the treatment (8 and 26 weeks).
What is being tested
- Active BFRT (device)
- Sham BFRT (device)
- Strengthening Exercises with BFRT (behavioral)
- Skilled Physical Therapy Care (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Florida · Participants: 36 · Started: May 13, 2025
Contact the study team
- Federico Pozzi, PT, MA, PhD · Phone: (352) 273-6957
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06873113
Locations in the U.S.
| Florida | University of Florida, Gainesville |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.