Sleeper Stretch for Shoulder Pain

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Andrew Jagim, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Labral lesions, Rotator cuff tears, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 8 weeks

26 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Sleeper Stretch for shoulder pain?

Research shows that the sleeper stretch can improve shoulder flexibility and range of motion, particularly in athletes who use their arms overhead, like baseball players. It helps in recovering shoulder movement after activities like pitching, although there are concerns about potential shoulder issues with its use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the sleeper stretch safe for humans?

The sleeper stretch is generally considered safe, but there is a potential risk for subacromial impingement (shoulder pain due to pinching of tendons or bursa) if not performed correctly. Modifications to the stretch are recommended to minimize this risk. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How does the Sleeper Stretch treatment differ from other treatments for shoulder pain?

The Sleeper Stretch is unique because it specifically targets improving the flexibility of the posterior shoulder and increasing the internal rotation range of motion, which is particularly beneficial for overhead athletes. Unlike other treatments, it may pose a risk of subacromial impingement, which has led to the development of modified versions to enhance safety and effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the sleeper stretch in improving shoulder range of motion, strength and upper body performance in CrossFit athletes.

Research Team

Alecia Gende, DO, CAQSM

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for active CrossFit participants who work out more than twice a week and are experiencing shoulder pain. It's not suitable for those with labral lesions or rotator cuff tears, history of upper limb or cervical spine surgery, other injuries preventing regular activities, or recent fractures.

Inclusion Criteria

Regularly active (attending CrossFit > 2x per week)

Exclusion Criteria

Positive test for labral lesions or rotator cuff tears

I have had surgery on my upper limbs or neck.

I have no injuries that stop me from working my usual hours.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants perform the sleeper stretch intervention to improve shoulder range of motion, strength, and upper body performance

8 weeks

Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Sleeper Stretch

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of the sleeper stretch versus standard workouts in improving shoulder flexibility, strength, and overall upper body performance among CrossFit athletes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sleeper Stretch Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Findings from Research

The cross-body and sleeper stretches are popular techniques for improving flexibility in the posterior shoulder and increasing range of motion for overhead athletes, but they may have limitations in stabilizing the shoulder joint.

The authors suggest modifications to these stretches to enhance their effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury, such as subacromial impingement, while still aiming to maintain or improve shoulder flexibility and internal rotation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The modified sleeper stretch and modified cross-body stretch to increase shoulder internal rotation range of motion in the overhead throwing athlete. Wilk, KE., Hooks, TR., Macrina, LC.[2022]

Both the modified cross-body stretch (MCS) and modified sleeper stretch (MSS) significantly improved shoulder internal rotation and horizontal adduction range of motion in 24 college baseball players over a 4-week period.

The MCS specifically reduced muscle stiffness in the teres minor, while the MSS reduced stiffness in the infraspinatus, indicating that both stretching methods effectively target different muscles in the shoulder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of two stretching methods on shoulder range of motion and muscle stiffness in baseball players with posterior shoulder tightness: a randomized controlled trial. Yamauchi, T., Hasegawa, S., Nakamura, M., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 212 collegiate overhead athletes, both the prone cross-body adduction (superman stretch) and the sleeper stretch significantly improved shoulder range of motion (ROM).

The superman stretch specifically showed superior effectiveness in enhancing horizontal adduction compared to the sleeper stretch, suggesting it may be a better option for immediate ROM improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Sleeper and Superman Stretches on Time-Zero Shoulder Range of Motion in Collegiate Athletes. Tawfik, A., Toci, GR., Sirch, F., et al.[2022]

A new stretching technique called Passive Glenohumeral Internal Rotation with Clam Shell Bridging was compared to the traditional modified sleeper stretch in 42 overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficits (GIRD), showing both techniques improved internal rotation range of motion (ROM) significantly over time.

The novel stretching technique resulted in a significant reduction in shoulder pain intensity, making it potentially more suitable for symptomatic patients compared to the modified sleeper stretch, which did not show a significant change in pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a novel stretching technique on shoulder range of motion in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficits: a randomized controlled trial. Gharisia, O., Lohman, E., Daher, N., et al.[2021]

The natural recovery time for glenohumeral internal rotation (IR) loss after a throwing episode in high school baseball pitchers is approximately 4 days, based on a study of 17 participants.

Incorporating a sleeper stretch protocol can significantly accelerate recovery, reducing the time needed for IR recovery to just 2 days, which may help prevent cumulative effects over the season.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleeper stretch accelerates recovery of glenohumeral internal rotation after pitching. Reuther, KE., Larsen, R., Kuhn, PD., et al.[2022]

Both the modified sleeper stretch (MSS) and modified cross-body stretch (MCBS) significantly improved internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and upper limb functions in 30 male tennis players over 4 weeks, with DASH scores decreasing by 85% and 79.6% respectively.

There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of MSS and MCBS, indicating that either stretching technique can be beneficial for addressing shoulder issues in tennis players.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of modified sleeper stretch and modified cross-body stretch on upper limb functions and shoulder ROM in tennis players: a randomized trial. D, A., Sudhan M, A., Chandran, S., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 70 patients with subacromial pain syndrome, both posterior shoulder stretching exercises with rapid eccentric contraction and static stretching were found to be more effective than no stretching in improving shoulder mobility, pain, and function.

While rapid eccentric contraction did not show superiority over static stretching overall, it specifically improved external rotation range of motion compared to the control group, suggesting it may be beneficial for addressing certain mobility deficiencies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Novel Posterior Shoulder Stretching With Rapid Eccentric Contraction and Static Stretching in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Trial. Türksan, HE., Yeşilyaprak, SS., Erduran, M., et al.[2023]

Kinesio taping (KT) and sleeper stretching (SS) both significantly improve shoulder rotation range of motion (ROM) in pitchers with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), based on a study involving 31 participants.

While KT enhances shoulder external rotator strength, SS actually decreases it, indicating that while both methods improve ROM, they have different effects on muscle strength.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of the Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping and Sleeper Stretching on the Shoulder Rotation Range of Motion, Manual Muscle Strength, and Sub-Acromial Space in Pitchers with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit. Lo, CL., Hsueh, YH., Wang, CH., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The modified sleeper stretch and modified cross-body stretch to increase shoulder internal rotation range of motion in the overhead throwing athlete. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of two stretching methods on shoulder range of motion and muscle stiffness in baseball players with posterior shoulder tightness: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Sleeper and Superman Stretches on Time-Zero Shoulder Range of Motion in Collegiate Athletes. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a novel stretching technique on shoulder range of motion in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficits: a randomized controlled trial. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleeper stretch accelerates recovery of glenohumeral internal rotation after pitching. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of modified sleeper stretch and modified cross-body stretch on upper limb functions and shoulder ROM in tennis players: a randomized trial. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Novel Posterior Shoulder Stretching With Rapid Eccentric Contraction and Static Stretching in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Trial. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of the Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping and Sleeper Stretching on the Shoulder Rotation Range of Motion, Manual Muscle Strength, and Sub-Acromial Space in Pitchers with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit. [2021]