Pain Education After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Launched by ELIF DILARA DURMAZ · Mar 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how adding Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) to traditional rehabilitation can help people recover better after surgery for rotator cuff tears. The goal is to see if learning about pain and its management can improve pain levels, shoulder function, and overall well-being for patients undergoing mini-open surgery. The trial will compare the effects of PNE given before or after surgery, helping to understand which timing works best.

To participate, you must be an adult aged 40 to 75 with a medium-sized rotator cuff tear confirmed by an MRI and scheduled for surgery. You’ll be placed in one of three groups: one receiving only standard rehabilitation, another receiving standard rehabilitation plus PNE before surgery, and the third receiving it after surgery. Over approximately 12 weeks, researchers will check in on your pain, physical abilities, and mental health. While there may be some challenges, like time commitment or discomfort during assessments, this study could lead to better recovery strategies for shoulder surgery patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Eligibility Criteria
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of a medium-sized rotator cuff tear (1-3 cm) confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and scheduled for surgical repair Age between 40 and 75 years Sufficient Turkish language proficiency to understand and complete the informed consent form and assessment scales Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24, indicating adequate cognitive function for study participation
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Corticosteroid injection received within the last 6 weeks Adhesive capsulitis, defined as loss of passive external rotation greater than 50% or 30° History of previous cervical, thoracic, or shoulder surgery Presence of cervical radiculopathy, characterized by pain and tingling radiating to the arm due to nerve root involvement Acromioclavicular joint pathology or shoulder instability causing shoulder pain Full-thickness rotator cuff tear Calcific tendinitis Systemic diseases (e.g., inflammatory arthritis, malignancy) or neurological disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, other neurological deficits) Fracture, labral lesion, or biceps tendon injury in the affected shoulder Prior participation in a chronic pain psychological management program or presence of generalized body pain