Does physical activity provide additional benefit in individuals with rotator cuff related shoulder pain?


Öztürk Ü., ÇELİK D.

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, cilt.82, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 82
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103498
  • Dergi Adı: Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Exercise therapy, Physical activity interventions, Rotator cuff disorders, Shoulder rehabilitation
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) causes pain, functional loss and reduced quality of life. Although physical activity has been shown to reduce pain and improve overall well-being, its additional effect has not yet been investigated specifically in individuals with RCRSP. Objectives To investigate the effect of adding physical activity to supervised exercise on pain, function, quality of life, and satisfaction in individuals with RCRSP. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods 42 participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The Physical Activity Group (n = 21) received moderate-intensity walking exercise in addition to supervised exercise and the Control Group (n = 21) received only supervised exercise for 6 weeks. The outcome measures were Numeric Pain Rating Scale(NPRS), The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment(ASES), The shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire(Quick DASH), Rotator Cuff Quality of Life (RCQOL), Western-Ontario Rotator Cuff Index(WORC) and Global Rating of Change scales(GROC) scores. Results Between-group differences in outcomes at follow-up were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA. There was a significant difference between the two groups in post-intervention scores on the NPRS-activity (Mean difference [MD]: −0.9 [95 % Confidence interval: −1.5,−0.3]; p = 0.003), NPRS-night (MD:−0.8 [−1.5,−0.1]; p = 0.02), ASES (MD:8.1 [2.5,13.7]; p = 0.01), Quick DASH (MD:−7.6 [−13.2,−1.9]; p = 0.01), and RC-QOL (MD:6.5 [0.2,12.9]; p = 0.04), favoring the Physical Activity Group. In contrast, no significant between-group differences were found in WORC-Emotions (MD:−5 [−13.2,3.2]; p = 0.23) or GROC(χ2 = 0.79; p > 0.05). Conclusions Adding physical activity to supervised exercise may significantly improve pain, function, quality of life, and satisfaction in individuals with RCRSP.