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Enrolling by invitation

NCT Number: NCT07820592

Prehabilitation Before Surgery: A Strategy To Accelerate Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair?

A rotator cuff tear is a structural injury to one or more tendons of the rotator cuff, ranging from degenerative changes to partial or complete tears. Rotator cuff tears are among the most common causes of shoulder pain and disability, particularly in middle-aged and older adults, and their prevalence increases with age. Population studies report a prevalence of complete tears around 20% to 22%, while in cohorts of individuals over 70 years of age, it can exceed 50%. The risk of tearing is associated with advanced age, dominant arm involvement, trauma, heavy labor, and male sex.

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Key information

Conditions

Rehabilitation Arthralgia Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Prehabilitation Rotator Cuff Shoulder Pain Signs and Symptoms

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Temuco

Temuco, Chile

About this study

Physiological stress and adverse psychological factors can negatively interfere with postoperative recovery. To address this challenge, prehabilitation emerges as a comprehensive strategy that actively prepares patients before surgery, aiming to improve physical condition, optimize nutritional status, and implement cognitive interventions to reduce stress and anxiety. However, the application of prehabilitation in musculoskeletal injuries remains controversial. The main interventions in musculoskeletal injuries are based on strengthening exercises, balance and proprioceptive work, combined to a lesser extent with preoperative education and the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men or women
  • Over 50 years of age
  • Awaiting arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff repair of one or more tendons
  • Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with a history of previous shoulder surgery ( in the contralateral shoulder)
  • Patients with a massive irreparable rotator cuff tears
  • Patientes with a history of infiltration in an injured shoulder
  • Uncontrolled or undiagnosed sleep disorders
  • The presence of mental or neurological illness, inability to read or follow instructions.

Treatment and study plan

Prehabilitation

Other

Two 60-minute prehabilitation sessions were conducted one week prior to surgery by kinesiologist specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The first session consisted of a power point presentation covering: (1) postoperative stages; (2) biopsychosocial factors influencing pain management; (3) the correct use of the sling and abduction cushion. The second session required participants to bring a companion for demostrations and practice of: (1) strategies for performing activities of daily living; (2) permitted movements and restrictions during the first postoperative weeks; (3) distal mobility exercises and (4) sleep hygiene strategies.

Primary outcomes

  1. Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    It consists of 21 questions, addressing physical symptoms, sports and recreation, work and recreation, work, life studies and emotions. All dimensions were calculated and will be reported as a percentage. The WORC (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index) has an absolute maximum score of 2100 points, representing the worst possible symptoms or the highest level of shoulder disability.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    The intensity of the pain is assessed considering a scale from 0 to 10. 0 being no pain and 10 being the maximum pain perceived.

  2. Kinesiophobia (TSK-11)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    The tampa Kinesiophobia scale (TSK-11) will be used, being a valid, self-reported assessment instrument of 44 point. The maximum score is 44 points correlates with higher kinesiophobia

  3. Catastrophizing (PCS)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    A 13-item self-administered questionnaire will be used, designed to measures a person is tendency to magnify, ruminate, or feel helpless in the face of pain. The maximum score on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) is 52 points.

  4. Disability (QUICKDASH)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    Evaluates disability and symptom severity for conditions affecting the arm, shoulder, and hand. 11 items rates on a 5-point likert scale (requiring at least 10 answered items to calculate). The maximum score on the QuickDASH questionnaire is 100 points, indicating the highest level of disability or functional limitation in the upper extremity.

  5. Grip Strength

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    A dynamometer will be used to quantify the grip strength of both arms.

  6. Mobility (ROM)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    A goniometer is used to measure the degrees of arm movement

  7. Sleep quality (PSQI)

    Time frame: 4,8 and 12 week

    The Pittsburgh sleep quality index is a questionnaire that measures sleep quality and its disturbances in the last month. The maximum score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is 21 points. Each component is rated on a scale of 0 to 3, where 0 means no difficulty and 3 represents a serious problem.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

LAURA CASTILLO VEJAR

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prehabilitation Before Surgery: A Strategy To Accelerate Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair? A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Acronym: PREHAB

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 15, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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