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

NCT ID: NCT01054326

Last Updated: 2010-01-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 45 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2003-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2007-01-31

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

Subacromial Decompression

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Supervised physical therapy focusing of rotatorcuff exercises

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Home exercises

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,

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Interventions

Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Kalmar County Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Linkoeping University

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Linköpings University

Other Identifiers

DNR 02-37

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id