VR-Assisted Rehabilitation in Partial Supraspinatus Tears

Hitit University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Shoulder Pain; Partial Supraspinatus Tear

Treatments: Behavioral: VR-assisted rehabilitation program; Behavioral: Conventional shoulder exercise program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07478835

2024-144

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears. Virtual reality has emerged as a promising tool to enhance patient engagement and improve rehabilitation outcomes in musculoskeletal disorders; however, evidence in this patient population remains limited. Participants will be assigned to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups will receive a structured physical therapy program, while the intervention group will additionally perform virtual reality-based exercises. The study will evaluate the potential benefits of virtual reality in improving clinical outcomes compared to conventional rehabilitation.

Full description

This study aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation on pain, kinesiophobia, quality of life, and supraspinatus tendon thickness in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears.

Partial supraspinatus tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and functional limitation, often leading to decreased quality of life and increased fear of movement. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative rehabilitation tool that may enhance patient engagement and treatment adherence.

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears.

Partial supraspinatus tendon tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and functional impairment, often associated with reduced range of motion, decreased quality of life, and increased kinesiophobia. Conventional rehabilitation approaches are widely used; however, patient adherence and engagement may be limited.

Participants diagnosed with partial supraspinatus tendon tears will be randomly allocated to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups will receive a standardized physical therapy program including hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. In addition, participants in the virtual reality group will perform interactive, task-oriented exercises using virtual reality applications designed to enhance motivation and active participation. The control group will perform conventional therapeutic exercises targeting shoulder mobility, strength, and function.

All interventions will be applied over a structured treatment period under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Evaluations will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

This study aims to determine whether the integration of virtual reality into conventional rehabilitation provides additional clinical benefits in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, and patient engagement in individuals with partial supraspinatus tendon tears.

Enrollment: 49 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Shoulder pain persisting for more than 4 weeks
• Diagnosis of partial supraspinatus tendon tear confirmed by shoulder magnetic resonance imaging

Exclusion criteria

• Received physiotherapy treatment within the previous 6 months
• Received shoulder injection within the previous 6 months
• History of tendon repair surgery
• Presence of communication or cognitive impairment
• Vertigo or vestibular disorders, or other conditions causing balance instability
• History of epilepsy or seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including anxiety disorders or claustrophobia)
• Any additional orthopedic condition affecting the same shoulder
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Neurological, vascular, or cardiac disorders that may restrict functional capacity

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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49 participants in 2 patient groups

virtual reality group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the experimental group received the same conventional treatment protocol and additionally performed virtual reality (VR)-assisted exercises. A Meta Quest Pro VR headset (Meta Platforms Inc.) was used to provide an immersive virtual environment during the intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: VR-assisted rehabilitation program

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

participants performed a set of therapeutic exercises after the same conventional treatment protocol

Treatment:

Behavioral: Conventional shoulder exercise program