Table 3.
Rehabilitation protocols in studies comparing early versus late mobilization
| Early Group | Late Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Arndt et al1 | 3-5 physical therapy sessions per week starting on day after operation (stressing pendulum exercise, manual passive ROM, and CPM) | Sling immobilization for 6 weeks postoperatively |
| Identical progressive active ROM rehabilitation protocol started at 6 weeks postoperatively | ||
| Cuff and Pupello3 | 3 physical therapy sessions per week starting on postoperative day 2 (stressing pendulum exercise and graduated passive ROM) for 6 weeks | Sling immobilization for 6 weeks postoperatively, but pendulum exercises (3 times daily for 5 min/session) during this time period |
| Active assisted ROM at weeks 6-10Active ROM to tolerance at weeks 10-12Rotator cuff muscle strengthening at week 12 | Passive ROM at week 6; then started same protocol that “Early Group” started at week 6 | |
| Düzgün et al4 | Identical protocols consisting of progressive increases in active ROM and exercise intensity | |
| Reached final stage (active ROM against resistance and rotator cuff muscle strengthening) at week 7 | Reached final stage at week 18 | |
| Keener et al7 | Initial 6 weeks of passive ROM, progressive active ROM in subsequent 6 weeks, and rotator cuff strengthening 3-4 months postoperatively | |
| Protocol started at first postoperative visit (10-14 days) | Protocol started 6 weeks postoperatively | |
| Kim et al8 | Passive shoulder ROM initiated on postoperative day 1 | Shoulders immobilized for 4 or 5 weeks postoperatively (based on tear size) |
| At 4-5 weeks postoperatively, identical progressive increases in active ROM and rotator cuff muscle strengthening at 9-12 weeks postoperatively | ||
CPM, continuous passive mobilization; ROM, range of motion.