Effect of Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training in Individuals With Rotator Cuff Lesions

Summary

Rotator cuff lesions are among the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation, often affecting daily living activities and quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy interventions such as therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents are widely used; however, persistent pain, kinesiophobia, and functional disability may limit treatment outcomes. Virtual reality-supported task-oriented training has emerged as a promising rehabilitation approach by providing immersive, functional, and goal-directed activities that may enhance motor performance and psychosocial outcomes.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of virtual reality-supported task-oriented training added to conventional physiotherapy in individuals with rotator cuff lesions. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy (therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents) and an intervention group receiving virtual reality-supported task-oriented training in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Both groups will undergo treatment three times per week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions.

Outcome measures will include pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); grip strength measured by dynamometry; pinch strength measured by pinchmeter; upper extremity function assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire; shoulder pain and disability assessed by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); kinesiophobia assessed by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia; pain catastrophizing assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; and anxiety and depression assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for individuals with rotator cuff lesions.

Conditions

• Rotator Cuff Lesions

Interventions

OTHER

Conventional treatment

The treatment program will be administered three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Therapeutic exercises will focus on improving shoulder mobility, strength, and functional use of the upper extremity. Electrophysical agents will be applied as part of standard clinical practice to support pain management and tissue healing.

OTHER

Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training

he virtual reality-supported task-oriented training will be delivered during the same treatment period and will include functional, goal-directed activities simulating activities of daily living, such as kitchen-related tasks, cleaning activities, and pushing and pulling movements. The virtual reality program will be performed using a virtual reality device and will be tailored to the participant's functional capacity and tolerance, with task difficulty progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period. The training aims to enhance shoulder function, upper extremity use, motor performance, and psychosocial outcomes by promoting active participation and graded exposure to functional movements.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mehmet CANLI, Ph.D. · Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-16

Primary Completion

2026-05-01

Completion

2026-05-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations