The Effect of an Evidence-based Physiotherapy Regimen for Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Last updated: August 22, 2018
Sponsor: Bergen University College
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Tendon Injuries

Sprains

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT02304003
BergenUC
2012/2134
  • Ages 18-70
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Primary aim of this study is to investigate wether an evidence-based physiotherapy regimen is more effective than standard care in patients referred for arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder. It is hypothesized that a multimodal physiotherapy regimen will relieve pain, improve shoulder function and reduce the need for subacromial decompression surgery of the shoulder compared to standard care/wait and see controls.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria: Patients on need for surgery ( placed at surgical waiting list at hospital or referred tosurgery by their GP )

  1. Typical history with difficulties working with arms elevated over the head, and painlocated in the upper segment of C5 dermatome.

  2. Symptom duration of minimum 3 months.

  3. Three or more reproducible signs of rotator cuff tendinopathy / subacromialimpingement:

  • Positive isometric abduction and/or lateral rotation (Ombregt, Bisschop & Veer,

  • Painful arc during active abduction (Ombregt, Bisschop & Veer, 2003)

  • Positive Neers sign (Neer, 1972 ; Tennent, Beach & Meyers, 2003)

  • Positive Jobes test (Jobe & Moynes, 1982 ; Tennent, Beach & Meyers, 2003)

  • Positive Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test (Hawkins & Kennedy, 1980)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Shoulder pain due to trauma, e.g. fall.

  2. Reduced ROM consistent with adhesive capsulitis/frozen shoulder

  3. History in combination with examination and tests (apprehension/relocation), givingreason to suspect pathological instability

  4. Full thickness rupture of rotator cuff tendon

  5. OA of the glenohumeral joint, Os acromiale with decreased space of the subacromialspace, previous fractures in the shoulder complex or shoulder surgery on thesymptomatic side.

  6. Subjects with other comorbidity: Rheumatological or neurological disease, fibromyalgiaor symptoms from the cervical spine

  7. Subjects suffering from serious psychiatric illness.

  8. Subjects unable to understand English or Norwegian.

  9. Less than 3 positive reproducible sings of rotator cuff pathology / subacromialdisease.

Study Design

Total Participants: 80
Study Start date:
April 01, 2014
Estimated Completion Date:
June 30, 2022

Study Description

There has been a fourfold increase in surgery rates for non-traumatic shoulder disorders , despite increasing evidence demonstrating that there is no difference in effect between physiotherapy based- and surgical interventions. The target population for this study is patients suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy waiting for subacromial decompression surgery at a university hospital in Norway. During this waiting period , study participants will be randomly assigned to standard follow up or a physiotherapy regimen in primary care. We want to compare the effect of a structured physiotherapy regimen consisting of heavy slow resistance exercises, stretching, manual mobilization and low level laser therapy to standard follow up.

Connect with a study center

  • Department of Physiotherapy, Hillevaag General Practitioner Practice

    Stavanger, 4016
    Norway

    Active - Recruiting

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