A self-managed single exercise programme versus usual physiotherapy treatment for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a randomised controlled trial (the SELF study)

86 patients with a clinical diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinopathy were randomized to one of two treatment groups: one group underwent an exercise programme of a single, progressive resistance exercise, while the other group received standard supervised physiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcome on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Patients were assessed over a 12-month follow-up period. The results of this trial demonstrated no significant between-group differences over the 12-month follow-up.