NCT05239520

Understanding Control and Mechanisms of Shoulder Instability in FSHD

Completed Last updated 1 February 2023

What this trial tests

trial testing 3D movement analysis with surface electromyography and ultrasound in Shoulder Pain in 14 participants. Completed in 21 October 2022.

Timeline

25 March 2022

Primary endpoint
21 October 2022

21 October 2022

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Liverpool
Status	Completed
Study type	OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment	14
Start date	25 March 2022
Primary completion	21 October 2022
Estimated completion	21 October 2022
Sites	1 location across United Kingdom

Drugs / interventions tested

• 3D movement analysis with surface electromyography and ultrasound

Conditions studied

• Shoulder Pain — all drugs for Shoulder Pain →
• Neuromuscular Diseases — all drugs for Neuromuscular Diseases →
• Shoulder Injuries — all drugs for Shoulder Injuries →
• Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy — all drugs for Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy →

Sponsor

University of Liverpool

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Shoulder Pain or Neuromuscular Diseases. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

The aim of this study is to identify factors for shoulder instability in people with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). FSHD is a non-life limiting condition with symptoms presenting in the second decade of life (Evangelista et al., 2016). Between 2500 to 3000 people are diagnosed with FSHD in the UK and it is the third most common dystrophy. The overall prevalence is 1: 20,000 and on average 52 people are newly diagnosed with FSHD each year (Emery, 1991; Padberg et al., 1995; UK, 2020) As the disease progresses, patients lose the ability to adequately control muscles around the shoulder girdle, possibly contributing to the development of shoulder instability i.e. partial or complete dislocation of the shoulder joint (Bergsma, Cup, Geurts, \& De Groot, 2015; Bergsma, Cup, Janssen, Geurts, \& de Groot, 2017; Mul et al., 2016). Loss of control around the shoulder is also thought to contribute to pain and a reduced capacity to perform tasks above shoulder height. Additionally, the development of fatigue and chronic pain further limit patient's abilities and engagement with rehabilitation.

If we better understand the mechanisms associated with instability, we can better target physiotherapy interventions to improve rehabilitation. If we identify specific patterns of activity associated with instability, these could be addressed through personalised and improved exercise prescription and rehabilitation. Additionally, we may identify causes of instability for which physiotherapy or exercise programmes may not be appropriate, therefore ensuring patients are referred to the correct service in a timely manner, improving patient outcomes and allocating resources more appropriately.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. A study evaluating differences in 3D upper limb kinematics and surface electromyography measures in adults with and without facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.
   Philp F, Seyres M, Emery N, Kulshrestha R, et al · · 2026 · PMID 41816359 · DOI 10.1016/j.xrrt.2026.100670