Efficacy of five-step shoulder manipulation for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Background Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) is the most common cause of shoulder disorders. In China, manipulation has been used extensively for the treatment of patients with RCRSP. However, high-quality clinical evidence to support the therapeutic effect of manipulation is still limited. Methods A multicenter, participant-, outcome assessor-, and data analyst-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 280 participants with RCRSP will be recruited from three hospitals and randomly assigned to a five-step shoulder manipulation (FSM) group or a sham manipulation (SM) group. Each group will receive four weekly treatment sessions, with all participants performing exercises at home for 12 weeks. Assessments, namely the Constant–Murley score, visual analog scale, range of motion, and 36-Item Short Form Survey, will be made at baseline, 4, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Adverse events during the study will also be recorded. Discussion This is a pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FSM in patients with RCRSP. The findings of this study will provide worthy clinical evidence for manual therapy for RCRSP. Trial registration China Registered Clinical Trial Registration Center ChiCTR2000037577. Registered on 29 August 2020.