The effectiveness of web-based patient education and action and coping plans as an adjunct to patient treatment in physiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial

108 patients with shoulder injuries or disorders were randomized to receive physiotherapy with either an accompanying web-based patient education (WBPE) and action/coping plan program or web-based access to neutral information about shoulder injuries and rehabilitation. Outcomes of interest included adherence, pain scores on a P4 scale, the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, and patient satisfaction outcomes. Results revealed significantly favourable Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (SIRAS) scores in the WBPE group compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in P4 pain scores, DASH scores, the rate of attendance to scheduled rehabilitation, or the rate of adherence to home-based sessions and repetitions. 45/48 patients who completed follow up in the WBPE group were satisfied with the intervention.