The Effect of an Exercise Program Based on Attentional Focus Shifting on Clinical Outcomes in Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain

Summary

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of an attention shift-based rehabilitation program on clinical outcomes in individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). The study will evaluate the effects of an attention shift approach, in which motor tasks targeting regions outside the shoulder are performed concurrently with standard shoulder exercises, on pain, functional status, and pain catastrophizing. These results will be compared with those of a standard shoulder rehabilitation program.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Is there a difference in pain levels between individuals with RCRSP who participate in an attention shift-based rehabilitation program and those who participate in a standard exercise program? Is there a difference between these two rehabilitation approaches in terms of shoulder function and pain catastrophizing?

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to either an attention shift-based rehabilitation group or a standard shoulder rehabilitation group Participate in supervised exercise sessions twice per week for 6 weeks Attend sessions lasting approximately 60-75 minutes Undergo clinical assessments at baseline and at week 6

Conditions

• Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain
• Subacromial Pain Syndrome
• Shoulder Bursitis
• Shoulder Tendinopathy
• Rotator Cuff Tears of the Shoulder

Interventions

OTHER

Patient Education

Participants will receive patient education on basic muscle biomechanics, causes of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, pain management strategies, activity modification, and proper sleeping positions.

OTHER

Attention Shift-Based Exercise Therapy

Participants will be enrolled in a structured, supervised shoulder rehabilitation program consisting of exercises recommended in the literature. The program will include a three-phase protocol comprising range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises. In addition to the standard shoulder exercise program, participants will perform concurrent motor tasks targeting regions outside the shoulder. These tasks are designed to shift attention away from the painful shoulder region by engaging other body segments (e.g., lower limb or contralateral limb movements performed simultaneously with shoulder exercises). The intervention will be delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist twice per week over a 6-week period.

OTHER

Standard Exercise Therapy

Participants will be enrolled in a structured, supervised standard shoulder rehabilitation program consisting of exercises recommended in the literature. The program will include a three-phase protocol comprising range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises. The intervention will focus exclusively on the affected shoulder and will not include any additional cognitive or motor dual-task components or attention-shifting strategies. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist twice per week over a 6-week period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University

  lead OTHER

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

2026-05-15

Primary Completion

2027-05-15

Completion

2027-06-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations