Short-term Comparison of Supervised Rehabilitation and Home-based Rehabilitation for Earlier Recovery of Shoulder Motion, Pain, and Function after Rotator Cuff Repair

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to compare the outcome of supervised and home exercises with respect to range of motion (ROM), pain, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). We further correlated the ROM recovery and pain reduction as well.METHODS: The study included 49 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Rehabilitation was initiated after 4 weeks of immobilization. A total of 29 patients performed supervised exercise 3 times a week. Standardized education and brochures for review were provided to the remaining 20 patients who insisted on home rehabilitation. Statistical analysis was performed for comparing pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), SANE, and ROM. In addition, we also evaluated the correlation between pain and ROM.RESULTS: Comparison of the two groups revealed no significant differences in forward flexion, internal rotation, abduction, and pain NRS. However, SANE at the 9th week (63.8 vs. 55.0, p=0.038) and improvement of external rotation from the 5th to the 9th week (17.6 vs. 9.3, p=0.018) were significantly higher in the supervised exercise group as compared to the home exercise group. Correlation of pain NRS with forward flexion, external rotation, internal rotation and abduction were statistically not significant (correlation coefficient=0.032 [p=0.828], ?0.255 [p=0.077], 0.068 [p=0.642], and ?0.188 [p=0.196], respectively).CONCLUSIONS: The supervised rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair showed better improvement in external rotation and higher SANE score after 4 weeks of rehabilitation exercise. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between the recovery of ROM and short-term pain relief.

Home based unsupervised rehabilitation protocol following rotator cuff repair has good outcomes: A prospective study

“…[10,11] Song et al found better SANE scores but similar range of motion and pain relief when comparing supervised and home therapy. [12] The rehabilitation began after four weeks of immobilization. The present study had a rehabilitation protocol where the exercises were begun at one week from surgery.…”

A Prospective Study on Unsupervised Rehabilitation Protocol After Rotator Cuff Repair.

“…In a study conducted by Song et al, it was observed that supervised therapy and home therapy yielded differential outcomes in terms of SANE scores, range of motion, and pain relief. Specifically, the researchers discovered that the SANE scores were significantly higher in the supervised therapy group compared to the home therapy group [12].…”