Riassunto dello studio

Seventy patients with partial thickness rotator cuff tears were randomized to receive either a physiotherapist-supervised exercise program (n=35) or a physiotherapist-prescribed home exercise program (n=35), both consisting of glenohumeral joint range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises performed twice a week for eight weeks. The primary outcomes of interest were the modified Constant-Murley Score (mCMS) for shoulder function and the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) for psychosocial health. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity (VAS), active range of motion (AROM), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Short Form-12, and the Global Rating of Change Scale. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Overall, both groups showed significant improvements in all measures; however, supervised exercises resulted in greater improvements in activity-related pain (P=0.004), shoulder flexion (P=0.01), abduction (P=0.02), and pain catastrophizing (P=0.005). The findings suggest that while both exercise programs are beneficial, physiotherapist-supervised exercises may be more effective in improving physical function and reducing pain catastrophizing.