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NCT Number: NCT07482735

Effect of Perturbation Exercise Protocol in Patients With Partial Rotator Cuff Tear: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Partial rotator cuff tears negatively affect shoulder stability, proprioception, and neuromuscular control. Perturbation-based rehabilitation has been shown to enhance reflex muscle activation and dynamic joint stabilization; however, randomized controlled studies investigating its effects in patients with partial rotator cuff tears are limited.

This single-blind randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the long-term effects of a perturbation exercise protocol on pain, proprioception, muscle strength, range of motion, and functional performance in individuals with partial rotator cuff tears.

Sixty participants will be randomly assigned to either a conventional physiotherapy group or a perturbation-based rehabilitation group. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment (10 days), and one month follow-up.

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Key information

Conditions

Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Sivas, 58140, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Partial rotator cuff tears are common musculoskeletal disorders that negatively affect shoulder stability, neuromuscular control, muscle strength, and functional performance. Damage to mechanoreceptors within the rotator cuff complex may impair proprioceptive feedback and dynamic stabilization, leading to persistent pain and recurrent microtrauma.

Conventional physiotherapy programs primarily focus on pain reduction and strengthening exercises. However, neuromuscular control deficits and proprioceptive impairments may not be fully addressed through traditional rehabilitation approaches. Perturbation-based exercise training has been proposed as a rehabilitation strategy aimed at enhancing reflexive muscle activation, improving co-contraction patterns, and promoting dynamic joint stability through controlled external disturbances.

Although perturbation exercises have shown promising effects in other shoulder pathologies and postoperative populations, randomized controlled trials investigating their long-term effects in individuals with partial rotator cuff tears are limited.

This single-blind randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a perturbation-based rehabilitation program in addition to conventional physiotherapy on shoulder muscle strength (primary outcome), pain intensity, range of motion, proprioception, and functional performance. Sixty participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving conventional therapy alone or an experimental group receiving additional perturbation exercises. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment (10 days), and one-month follow-up.

The findings of this study may contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies and help optimize treatment protocols for patients with partial rotator cuff tears.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18-65 years
  • Clinically diagnosed partial rotator cuff tear
  • Suitable for physiotherapy
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Full-thickness rotator cuff tear
  • Previous shoulder surgery
  • History of fracture or dislocation
  • Adhesive capsulitis
  • Neurological deficit in upper extremity
  • Professional athletes
  • Active systemic rheumatologic disease

Treatment and study plan

Conventional Physiotherapy

Other

Non

Other names: Non

Perturbation exercise protocol

Other

Non

Primary outcomes

  1. Shoulder muscle strength

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    Shoulder flexor, abductor, and medial and lateral rotator muscles muscle strength measured by Handheld Dynamometer

Secondary outcomes

  1. Shoulder Range of Motion

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    Measuremets for shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation) with a üniversal goniometer

  2. Shoulder Pain

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    Measumets for shoulder pain with VAS

  3. Proprioception

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    The target angle was 90 degrees of shoulder flexion. Joint repositioning errors for this angle were determined using a universal goniometer.

  4. Functional Status

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    Functional status of the shoulder was determined using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS). The total CMS score is 100, comprising 15 for pain, 20 for activities of daily living, 40 for range of motion, and 25 for muscle strength. An increased CMS score indicates better function.

  5. Dynamic balance

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 10 (post-treatment), 1 month follow-up

    The Upper Quadrant Y Balance Test was used to measure the dynamic balance of the upper extremity.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cumhuriyet University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Perturbation-Based Rehabilitation on Pain, Proprioception, Muscle Strength, Range of Motion and Functional Performance in Patients With Partial Rotator Cuff Tear: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 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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