Effects of Supervised Physical Therapy With Early Activation of the Rotator Cuff Versus Home Exercises in Patients After Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression

Linköping University (LiU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Subacromial Decompression

Treatments: Other: Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01054326

DNR 02-37

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare two different post-surgical rehabilitation strategies, Rehabilitation supervised by a physical therapist including exercises with progressive early activation of the rotator cuff versus basic home exercises regarding shoulder function, pain, health related quality of life and return to work after arthroscopic subacromial decompression.

Full description

Patients scheduled for surgery (arthroscopic subacromial decompression)and in the age 25-65 were offered to participate in the study. After surgery they were randomized to either Supervised Physical therapy with early activation of the rotator cuff (PT-group) or to home exercises (H-group). Patients in the PT group met the physical therapist twice a week for exercises and in between these visits they did their exercises at home daily. The H-group did home exercises daily. Shoulder function and pain(primary outcomes)and health related quality of life, returning to work(secondary outcomes)were assessed before surgery, one week after(baseline), 1,2,3 and 6 months after surgery by an independent physical therapist.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Subacromial impingement verified with Neer impingement test

• At least 6 month duration of pain

• Treated in primary care without satisfactory results for at least three months.

• Typical history and pain location. Scheduled for surgery (subacromial decompression)

• Three of these four tests must be positive:

  • Neer impingement test
  • Hawkins-Kennedy impingement sign Jobe supraspinatus test
  • Painful arc 60-120 degree

Exclusion criteria

• Radiological findings of malignancy osteoarthritis, fractures
• Polyarthritis or fibromyalgia
• Pathological hyper laxity
• Lack of communication skills that prevent the use of outcome measurements
• Cervical spine pathology

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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45 participants in 2 patient groups

Supervised physical therapy focusing of rotatorcuff exercises

Experimental group

Description:

Patients did specific exercises supervised by a physical therapists twice a week during two months. Focus was on early activation of rotator cuff and scapula stabilizers following different phases in a rehabilitation program Assessments before surgery,1 week after as well as 1,2,3 and 6 months after surgery.

Treatment:

Other: Exercises

Home exercises

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients did home exercises following a programme during three months. Assessment considering shoulder function and pain was done before surgery, 1w after as well as 1,2,3 and 6 months after surgery,

Treatment:

Other: Exercises