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NCT Number: NCT07205094

Effect of Telerehabilitation on Quality of Life, Pain, and Function After Rotator Cuff Surgery

he purpose of this study was to find out whether telerehabilitation after rotator cuff surgery can help reduce pain, improve shoulder movement, increase muscle strength, enhance functional ability, and improve quality of life compared to conventional physiotherapy. The study included 30 participants who had undergone rotator cuff surgery at least six weeks earlier. They were divided into two groups: a telerehabilitation group (n=20) and a conventional physiotherapy control group (n=10). Both groups followed an eight-week exercise program, which included range of motion, stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercises.

The study found that both groups improved in pain, shoulder mobility, muscle strength, function, and quality of life. Participants in the telerehabilitation group showed particularly greater improvements in shoulder flexion, flexor muscles, external rotator muscles, and overall quality of life. These results suggest that telerehabilitation may be an effective alternative to traditional physiotherapy after rotator cuff surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tears Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Rotator Cuff Injuries Rupture Shoulder Injuries Signs and Symptoms Tendon Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Beykent University Hospital

Istanbul, 34500, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals who have undergone rotator cuff surgery
  • At least 6 weeks post-surgery
  • Possess the necessary technology for telerehabilitation (smartphone, computer, internet access)
  • Willing to participate in the study and have signed the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • History of neurological disorders
  • Severe cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions
  • Need for special medical care due to postoperative infection or complications
  • Inability to comply with telerehabilitation due to psychiatric conditions
  • Lack of access to or knowledge of technology required for telerehabilitation
  • Participation in another rehabilitation program during the study period

Treatment and study plan

Telerehabilitation exercise program

Other

8-week telerehabilitation program including range of motion, stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercise

Conventional Physiotherapy Program

Other

8-week conventional face-to-face physiotherapy program including range of motion, stretching, strengthening, and stabilization exercises

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale [VAS], 0-10 points)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention

    Pain intensity was assessed before and after the 8-week intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during activity, at rest, and at night. Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with higher scores indicating worse pain. Changes were compared between the telerehabilitation group and the conventional physiotherapy control group.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Shoulder range of motion (Goniometer, degrees)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention

    Shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation were measured using a goniometer before and after the 8-week intervention. Normal ranges for adults are: flexion 0-180°, extension 0-45°, abduction 0-180°, adduction 0-45°, internal rotation 0-70°, external rotation 0-90°. Changes were compared between the telerehabilitation group and control group.

  2. Muscle strength (Manual Muscle Testing, 0-5 scale)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention

    Muscle strength of shoulder flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, internal and external rotators was assessed using manual muscle testing before and after the 8-week intervention. Scores range from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (normal strength), with higher scores indicating stronger muscles. Changes were compared between groups.

  3. Quality of life (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC], 0-2100 points)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention

    Quality of life was assessed before and after the 8-week intervention using the WORC questionnaire. Scores range from 0 (best quality of life) to 2100 (worst quality of life), with lower scores indicating better quality of life. Changes were compared between the telerehabilitation group and control group.

  4. Functional status (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] questionnaire, 0-100 points)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention.

    Functional status was measured before and after the 8-week intervention using the DASH questionnaire. Scores for each subscale (function, symptoms, social/role function) were calculated separately. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximum disability), with higher scores indicating worse functional status. Changes were compared between the telerehabilitation group and control group.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aysan Yaghoubi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Telerehabilitation Versus Conventional Physiotherapy on Quality of Life, Pain, and Functional Outcomes in Patients Following Rotator Cuff Surgery

Acronym: TELERO-ROT

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Oct 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 3, 2025

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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