The GRASP Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
GRASP: Getting it Right: Addressing Shoulder Pain. Clinical and cost effectiveness of progressive exercise compared to best practice advice, with or without corticosteroid injection, for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders: a 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
199243
Contact name
Andrew Carr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Eudract number
2016-002991-28
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN16539266
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 8 months, 2 days
Research summary
Shoulder pain is very common, with around 1% of UK adults consulting their GP about a new shoulder problem annually. Most new cases of shoulder pain is caused by problems with the muscles and tendons in the shoulder, called the rotator cuff (RC). The RC can be damaged through injury or infection. The main symptom is pain, both when still and when moving the shoulder. Shoulder pain can seriously affect a person’s ability to work, sleep soundly and perform daily tasks. Common treatments include advice, rest, drugs and physiotherapy.
Currently we don’t know what is the best type and amount of physiotherapy for RC problems, even though it is often used. We also don't know whether patients do better if they get an injection called a steroid before starting any physiotherapy.
This trial will test whether people with a RC problem do better after up to 6 physiotherapy sessions or after one best-practice advice session with a physiotherapist. The trial will also test whether getting an injection in the shoulder joint before starting either regime helps. All of the treatments included are already commonly used in the NHS to treat RC pain. This trial is recruiting individuals with a new episode of shoulder pain due to a RC problem and who have not received any physiotherapy.
We aim to recruit 704 people from at least 8 centres. Participants will be randomised to either: 1) progressive exercise (up to 6 sessions); 2) best practice advice (one session); 3) progressive exercise and an injection; or 4) best practice advice and an injection. Participants will be asked about their level of pain and their ability to perform basic daily tasks over a year. The trial will assess which of these routine treatments, or combination of interventions, are best for patients and the NHS.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0508
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion