Rehabilitation outcome domains following rotator cuff surgical repair: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Rotator cuff injury represents a common shoulder dysfunction, that causes significant disability to the patient; in most complex cases this condition is treated with surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. Literature does not clarify which outcome domains should be investigated by the physiotherapist after rotator cuff repair. The goal of this review work was to verify which outcome domains are relevant for physiotherapists’ evaluation. Materials and methods: A systematic review conform to PRISMA statement, was planned; PICO framework guided research queries. RCTs about rehabilitation following cuff rotator repair, published from 2018 to 2023, were considered suitable, without differences in terms of surgical technique. PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database, EBSCO, PEDro and Scopus were systematically screened. Critical appraisal was carried out through Jadad and Pedro scores. A data extraction table was built with author/year, country, sample, intervention, outcome/tools by included studies. Results: The search yielded 14,323 records, of which 12 RCTs were finally included; they all had high methodological quality. Common physiotherapy evaluations regarded pain, joint mobility, strength, and functionality. Additional outcome domains were kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, quality of life, patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The review highlighted the need to integrate the classic assessment of shoulder through Costant-Murley Score/UCLA scale/Visual analogue scale, with that of kinesiophobia (Tampa scale), pain catastrophisation (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), patient satisfaction (0–10 scale) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L).

Keywords

• Rotator cuff tear
• Physiotherapy evaluation
• Outcome domains
• Systematic review