POETT Study – Exercise Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears

STUDY BASICS

Do you have a rotator cuff tear? Are you at least 40 years old? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about which patients with rotator cuff tears are likely to benefit from exercise therapy. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The rotator cuff is the group of tendons and muscles that helps with shoulder movement and stability. Tears to the rotator cuff are very common and can cause severe pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder. Exercise therapy can help relieve symptoms and restore normal function in some people with rotator cuff tears, but others require shoulder surgery to repair the tear. Researchers do not fully understand why some people with rotator cuff tears recover with exercise therapy while others need surgery, but factors such as size and location of the tear, muscle strength, and pain level may play a role. The purpose of this study is to gather detailed information about rotator cuff tears and better understand which patients are likely to benefit from exercise therapy and which patients will most likely need surgery. Researchers hope their findings will allow them to better predict the best treatment strategy for people with rotator cuff tears in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Age 40 and up
• Have had shoulder pain for less than 12 months
• Not currently participating in a physical therapy program and have not received an injection related to your shoulder pain in the past 3 months
• Do not have a work-related shoulder injury that is covered by worker's compensation or the subject of litigation
• Not pregnant

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Total participation in the study is 24 months, including 3 months of exercise therapy visits provided at no cost, and 21 months of follow-up testing. Procedures include ultrasound scans, X-rays, surveys, and physical exams.