Effectiveness of Supervised Motor Control Exercises on Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies

Summary

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body but still has the responsibility of ensuring a strong stability of our upper limbs during daily activities. The shoulder joint therefore requires a significant level of neuromuscular control at all times. The shoulder heavily relies on 4 key stabilizing muscles, known as the rotator cuff complex (RC). A tendinopathy of the RC may cause pain, significant muscle weakness, and a decrease in motor control of the shoulder during functional activities as well as work tasks. Individuals who have an RC tendinopathy often have neuromuscular and proprioceptive deficits. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of a brand new group strength and motor control exercise program for the upper extremities and to compare the effectiveness of this program to usual one-on-one physiotherapy care (such as manual therapy, motion exercises, strengthening, manual techniques) in reducing shoulder pain and improving overall function. A total of 33 participants suffering from an RC tendinopathy have been recruited; 16 have been assigned to the exercise group (EXP) and 17 participants have received usual physiotherapy care (CTL). Participants in the EXP group partook in the new exercise program 3 times / week for 6 weeks whereas participants in the CTL group received usual physiotherapy treatments twice / week with home exercises for 6 weeks. The results of this study will provide clinicians with a cost-effective and innovative treatment approach to treating shoulder pain. This study will provide active rehabilitation guidelines for reducing shoulder pain and the incidence of recurrence.

Conditions

• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Interventions

OTHER

Upper Extremity Neuromuscular Training Program

Neuromuscular and strengthening shoulder exercises in a group setting.

OTHER

Usual Physiotherapy Care

One-on-one physiotherapy care in a clinical setting.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CIRRIS (Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• OPPQ (Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• REPAR (Réseau Provincial de Recherche en Adaptation-Réadaptation)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Laval University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Luc J. Hébert, MSc PT, PhD · CIRRIS / IRDPQ, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)

• Jean-Sébastien Roy, MSc PT, PhD · IRDPQ and CIRRIS

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-01-31

Primary Completion

2017-08-31

Completion

2017-08-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations