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

Key Points

1. Adding moderate-intensity walking to supervised exercise improved pain and function at six weeks compared to supervised exercise alone in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) includes pain from subacromial pain syndrome, partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, and rotator cuff tendinopathy. Exercise and education are evidence-based treatments.

This study investigated whether adding moderate-intensity walking to a supervised exercise program would produce greater improvements in pain, function, and quality of life compared to supervised exercise alone.

Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain includes pain from subacromial pain syndrome, partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, and rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Clinicians may consider recommending general physical activity as part of a comprehensive approach to rotator cuff related shoulder pain management, particularly for sedentary patients.

METHODS

42 sedentary participants over age 40 with unilateral RCRSP of at least three months duration were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received education, joint mobilization, and a six-week supervised exercise program (see Video 1). The Physical Activity group

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