First Author (Year)	Follow-up Period	Outcome Scale	Treatment groups (n = )	Intragroup difference	Statistically significant (*clinical significance)	Between group difference	Statistically significant
Itoi (1992)109	3.4 yr (1 – 9 yr)	-Wolfgang criteria	Groups based off symptom duration G1: < 3 wk (15) G2: 3 wk – 3 mo (19) G3: 3 mo – 12 mo (19) G4: 12 mo (9)	(Pre→post) Wolfgang criteria (points): G1: 12.1 → 14.3 G2: 11.2 → 13.5 G3: 11.4 → 13.9 G4: 11.9 →12.5	(Post) G1: p<0.05 G2: p<0.01* G3: p<0.01* G4: p>0.05 (NS)	NR	NR
Bokor (1993)105	7.6 yr (3.7 - 12 yr)	-ASES ADLs -UCLA	G1: Non-surgical (53)	(Pre→post) ASES (Percent of cohort ‘mild or no compromise’ in ADLs): 24.8%→77.4 % UCLA (points; Avg score): 14.6 → 28.1	(Pre→Post) ASES (change in points) G1: + 52.6 > MCID: + 6.4202 UCLA (change in score) G1: (MCID NA)	NA	NA
Hawkins (1995)108	3.8 yr	-Constant-Murley	G1: Non-surgical (19) G2: Not satisfied w/ non-surgical (14)	(Post) Constant-Murley (score change): G1: + 7.2 G2: -1.1	(Post) G1: + 7.1 < MCID: + 10.4203 G2: -1.1 < MCID: + 10.4203	(Post) Constant-Murley (score): G1: 7.2; G2: -1.1	(Post) Constant-Murley: G1 vs G2: p = 0.038*
Wirth (1997)114	>/= 2 yr	-UCLA	G1: Exercise therapy (60)	(Pre→post) UCLA (score): 13.4→29.4	NR (MCID NA)	NA	NA
Palmer (1998)101	2 yr	-Swimming	Aquatic Therapy (1)	Demonstrate front crawl 2x40 feet	NR	NA	NA
Yamada (2000)115	4 yr (12 mo-19 yr)	-JOAS	G1: Non-surgical (14) G2: Surgery (26)	(Post) JOAS (Percent improvement): G1: 21.5% G2: 25.9%	(Post) G1: p = 0.0060* G2: p < 0.0001*	NR	NR
Goldberg (2001)107	2.5 yr	-SST -SF-36	G1: Non-surgical (46)	(Pre→2.5 yr) Simple shoulder test (points): 5.6 (+/-3.2)→7.0 (+/-3.8) Avg Improvement: 1.4(+/-3.6) SF-36 (points): Comfort: 48.3→58.5 (+10.1) Vitality: 60.0→49.6 (-10.4) Physical function: 60.4→48.3 (-12.2) General health: 76.4→60.8 (-15.7)	(2.5 yr) Simple shoulder test: (p<0.01)* SF-36: Comfort: p=0.01* Vitality: p<0.01* Physical function: p<0.01* General health: p<0.01*	NA	NA
Shibata (2001)126	24 wk	-UCLA	G1: 25 mg sodium Hyaluronate & 3 mL 1% lidocaine (38) G2: 2mg Dexamethasone & 3 mL 1% lidocaine (40)	(Pre→4wk→24wk) UCLA (points): G1: 13.6→27.6→26.2 G2: 11.9→26.5→25.3	(24 wk) G1: 4 & 24 wk: p<0.0001* G2: 4 & 24 wk: p<0.0001*	NR	NR
Vad (2002)120	3.1 yr (Range: 2-7 yr)	-Shoulder rating questionnaire	G1a: PT + meds (28) G1b: PT + meds + CS (12) G2: Failed G1a/b arthroscopy (32) G3: Primary surgery RCT repair (36)	(Pre→post) SRQ (score): G1a: 43/100 → 64/100 G1b: 44/100 → 75/100 G2: 44.5/100 →82/100 G3: 35/100 → 84/100	(Post) SRQ (score): G1a: p < 0.05* G1b: p < 0.05* G2: p < 0.05* G3: p < 0.05*	(Post) SRQ (score): G1a: 64/100; G1b: 75/100	(Post) SRQ: G1b vs G1a: p < 0.05
Piccoli (2004)102	7 wk	-SPADI -SF-12	Single case	(Pre→7 wk) SPADI (points): 76→17 SF-12 (points): PCS: 21.67 → 50.1 MCS: 56.28 → 58.49	(Pre→7 wk) SPADI (change in points) (-59) > MCID: + 8 points204	NA	NA
Ainsworth (2006)104	Avg: 10.8 mo (Range: 2-36 mo)	-ODSQ -SF-36	G1: Non-surgical (10) (Torbay rehab program)	(Pre→3 mo.) ODSQ: (points) Avg Score: 34.2 → 23.6 SF-36 (points): Physical health: 25→35 Emotional health: 80→57 General health: 70→61	NR (MCID NA)	NA	NA
Levy (2007)116	9 mo	-Constant-Murley	G1: Non-surgical (17)	(Pre→≥9 mo) Constant Score (Avg score (range)): 26 (8-41)→63 (43-77)	(Pre→≥9 mo) Constant Score (score change): G1: + 37 > MCID: + 10.4203	NA	NA
Lunn (2007)119	50 mo	-Constant-Murley	G1: Non-operative (14) G2: Open repair (5)	(Pre→post) Constant-murley (points [percent]): G1: 51 [58.3%]→ 66.6 [75%] G2: 53.0 [58%]→ 69.5 [75.4%]	(Post) G1: p = 0.009 G2: p = 0.009	(Post) Constant-murley (points [percent]): G1: 66.6 [75%] G2: 69.5% [75.4%]	(Post) Constant-murley: G1 vs G2: p = 0.61 (NS)
Ainsworth (2009)127	12 mo	-OSS -SF-36 physical Function (PF) -MYMOP	G1: PT + Exercise (30) G2: Control (Placebo) (no exercise) (30)	(3 mo→6 mo→12 mo) OSS (score change time 0) G1: 8.19→9.42→8.96 G2: 3.0→4.43→6.27 SF-36 PF(score change time 0) G1: 7.78→4.42→5.21 G2: (-)3.5→(-)3.00→(-)3.17 MYMOP (score changed time 0) G1: 1.03→1.27→1.02 G2: 0.46→0.67→1.08	NR (MCID NA)	(3 mo→6 mo→12 mo) OSS (score change) G1: 8.19→9.42→8.96 G2: 3.0→4.43→6.27 SF-36 PF (score change) G1: 7.78→4.42→5.21 G2: (-)3.5→(-)3.00→(-)3.17 MYMOP (score changed) G1: 1.03→1.27→1.02 G2: 0.46→0.67→1.08	OSS: G1 vs G2: 3 mo: p = 0.002 6 mo: p = 0.008 12 mo: p = 0.16 (NS) SF-36 PF: G1 vs G2: 3 mo: p = 0.005 6 mo: p = 0.136 (NS) 12 mo: p = 0.049 MYMOP: G1 vs G2: 3 mo: p = 0.052 6 mo: p = 0.047 12 mo: p = 0.847 (NS)
Baydar (2008)118	6 mo, 1 yr, 3 yr (Pt. report)	-ASES -Constant- Murley -SF-36	G1: Non-surgical (20)	(Pre→6 mo→1 yr→ 3yr) ASES (points): 24.95→44.15→42.44→43.28 (Pre→ 6 mo) Constant-Murley (points): 52.10→ 76.35 SF-36 (points): Physical function: 48.75→82.5 Physical role: 11.25→78.75 Social functioning: 87.5→99.37	(All-time points) ASES: P < 0.01* (6 mo) Constant-Murley: p<0.01* SF-36: Physical function: p < 0.001* Physical role: p < 0.001* Social functioning: p < 0.044	NA	NA
Moosmayer (2010/2014)47,48 ‡	6mo, 1yr, 2yr 5 yr	-ASES -Constant-Murley -SF-36	G1: Surgical (52) G2: PT (51) †G3: G2→F1 (12) †G4: PT only (39)	(Pre→6 mo→1 yr→ 5 yr) ASES (points): G1: 45.5→85.3→93.6→92.8 G2: 48.2 →35.4 →83.6 →85.4 G3: 40.3 G4: 50.6 Constant-Murley (points): G1: 35.3 →65.6 →77.7 →79.8 G2: 38.4 →63.9 →70.3 →74.2 SF-36 (points): G1: 38.2 →48.3 →51.2 →50.1 G2: 38.6 →47.3 →50.3 →48.4	(Pre→5 yr) ASES (point change): G1: + 47.3 > MCID: + 6.4202 G2: + 37.2 > MCID: + 6.4202 Constant (point change ): G1: + 44.5 > MCID: + 10.4203 G2: + 35.8 > MCID: + 10.4203 SF-36 (points): (MCID NA)	(Pre) ASES (points): G3: 40.3; G4: 50.6 (5 yr) ASES (points): G1: 92.8; G2: 85.4 Constant-murley (points): G1: 79.8 G2: 74.2 G3: 73.3 G4: 70.1 SF-36 (points): G1: 50.1 G2: 48.4	(Pre) ASES: G4 vs G3: P < 0.05* (5 yr) ASES: G1 vs G2: P < 0.001 Constant-murley: G1 vs G2: p < 0.01 G4 vs G2: p < 0.01 G3 vs G2: p = 0.23 (NS) SF-36: G1 vs G2: p = 0.38 (NS)
Tanaka (2010)113	G1: 2.4 yr G2: 2.2 yr	-Constant-Murley	G1: Non-surgical (subjects: 62 shoulders: 65) G2 Failed G1→surgery (subjects: 56 shoulders: 58)	(Post) Constant-Murley Score > 75: G1: 100% of cohort G2: NR	NR	NR	NR
Gialanella (2011)128	6 mo	-Constant-Murley	G1: PT & CS (x1) (20) G2: PT & CS (x2) (20) G3: PT (control) (20)	(Pre→3 mo→ 6 mo) Constant-Murley (Total score): G1: 23.7 →34.7 →28.0 G2: 24.8 →35.6 →29.2 G3: 30.5 →30.7 →29.9	(3 mo) AROM sub-score: G1 & G2: P < 0.001 (6 mo) AROM sub-score: G1: p < 0.05 G2: p < 0.001	(Pre→3 mo→ 6 mo) Constant-Murley (Total score): G1: 23.7 →34.7 →28.0 G2: 24.8 →35.6 →29.2 G3: 30.5 →30.7 →29.9	(All time points) p = NS
Merolla (2011)1	12 mo.	-Constant-Murley -Prediction scale	G0: Conservative therapy (60) G1: ‘Successful’ (33) G2: G0→ surgery (27)	(Pre→3 mo→6 mo→12 mo) Constant-Murley (total score): G0: 46.3→62.3→60.2→ (G1) 61.9 Prediction score (out of 21): G1: range: 10.6 - 12.8/21 G2: range: 15.2-17.3/21	(3 mo, 6 mo, 12 mo) Constant-Murley (total score): G0: p<0.01*
Kijma (2012)110	12.9 yr	-JOAS	G1: 43	(Post) JOAS (avg score): 9.4/10 No disturbance to ADLs (n = ): 31 (72%)	NR	NR	NR
Krischak (2013)124	2 mo	-Constan-Murley -EQ-5D	G1: Standard OT (22) G2: Home exercises (16)	(Pre→2 mo) Constant-Murley (points): G1: 60.6→75.5 G2: 60.1→73.8 EQ-5D quality of life index (points): G1: 0.97 →0.926 G2: 0.885 →0.933 EQ-5D status of health (points:) G1: 53.8 →71.6 G2: 58.6 →61.8	(Pre→2 mo) Constant (score change): G1: + 14.9 > MCID: + 10.4203 G2: + 13.7 > MCID: + 10.4203	(2 mo) Constant-Murley (points): G1: 75.5; G2: 73.8 EQ-5D quality of life index (points): G1: 0.926; G2: 0.933 EQ-5D status of health (points): G1: 15.6; G2: 61.8 (Pre→2 mo) EQ-5D status of health (point difference): G1: 17.8; G2: 3.2	(2 mo) Constant-Murley G1 vs G2: p = 0.824 (NS) EQ-5D QOL index: G1 vs G2: p = 0.656 (NS) EQ-5D health status: G1 vs G2: p = 0.128 (NS) (Pre→2 mo) EQ-5D health status: G1 vs G2: p < 0.05*
Kuhn (2013)40	1 yr	-SF-12 MCS -SF-12 PCS -ASES -WORC score -SANE score -SA scale	G0: PT program‡ (422, 100%) G1: Cured (237, 62.2%) (no formal f/u scheduled) G2: Improved (continue PT) G3: No better (82, 26%) (offered surgery)	(Pre→6 wk→12 wk) SF-12 MCS: G0: 40.26→40.57→40.84 SF-12 PCS: G0: 35.34→35.64→36.01 ASES G0: 54.47→77.98→83.67 WORC scale: G0: 47.16→62.52→69.67 SANE scale: G0: 46.6→62.73→70.27 SA scale: G0: 9.89→10.15→10.01	(6 wk) SF-12 MCS: p = 0.36 (NS) SF-12 PCS: p<0.0001 ASES: p<0.0001* WORC scale: p<0.0001* SANE scale: p<0.0001* SA scale: p = 0.096 (NS) (12 wk) SF-12 MCS: p = 0.895 (NS) SF-12 PCS: p < 0.0001 ASES: p < 0.0001* WORC scale: p < 0.0001* SANE scale: p < 0.0001* SA scale: p = 0.47 (NS)	NR	NA
Benazzo (2014)99	29 mo	-SST -Constant-Murley	Non-surgical: (1)	(1 d→40 d→80 d) SST: 2→8→12 Constant-Murley: 44→57→100	(1 d→80 d) SST (Score change): - + 10 > MCID: + 2.0 Constant-Murley: (score change) - + 76 > MCID: + 10.4203	NA	NA
Boorman (2014)123	29 mo	-RC-QOL	G0: 3 mo supervised, non-operative§ G1: “Successful” (no surgery) (70; 75%) G2: “failed” (underwent surgery) (23; 25%)	(Pre→3 mo→12 wk) RC-QOL score (0-100) G1: 49→82→80 G2: 33→38→NR	NR (MCID NA)	(Pre) RC-QOL score (0-100): G1: 49 ± 21 (range: 0-84) G2: 33 ± 15 (range: 6-66)	(Pre) RC-QOL: G1 vs G2: p<0.05 (P = 0.017*)
Güzelant (2014)117	66 mo (mean)	-ASES -UCLA	G1: “Conservative therapy” (33)	(Pre→Post) ASES (score): 25.4→86.7 UCLA (score): 10.6→25.6	(Post) ASES: P < 0.05 (p = 0.0218*) UCLA: P < 0.05 (p = 0.0314*)	NA	NA
Kukkonen (2014/2015)52,125	24 mo	-Constant-Murley -Constant-Murley ADL subscale -Satisfaction	G1: PT (55) G2: Acromioplasty & PT (58) G3: RC repair, acromioplasty & PT (54)	(Pre→12 mo→ 24 mo) Constant-Murley (score): G1: 57.8→74.1→76.2 G2: 59.6→77.2→80.1 G3: 58.0→77.9→80.6 Constant-Murley ADL subscale (score):* G1: 9.5→13.0→14.0→15.0 G2: 9.0→16.0→16.6→17.2 G3: 9.5→15.8→17.5→18.1 (24 mo) Satisfied (percent of cohort): G1: 89%; G2: 95%; G3: 94%	(Pre→12 mo→ 24 mo) Constant-Murley (score): G1: + 18.4 > MCID: + 10.4203 G2: + 20.5 > MCID: + 10.4203 G3: + 22.6 > MCID: + 10.4203	(12 mo) Constant-Murley (score): G1: 74.1 G2: 77.2 G3: 77.9 (Pre→24 mo) Change in Constant-Murley (points): G1: 18.4; G2: 20.5; G3: 22.6 (12 mo; 24 mo) Constant-Murley ADLs (score):* G1: 14.0; 15.0 G2: 16.6; 17.2 G3: 17.5; 18.1 (24 mo) Satisfied (percent of cohort): G1: 89%; G2: 95%; G3: 94%	(12 mo) Constant-Murley: G1 vs G2 vs G3: p = 0.34 (NS) (24 mo) Change in Constant-murley: G1 vs G2 vs G3: p>0.05 (NS) (12 mo) Constant-murley ADLs (score):* G1 vs G2/G3*: p<0.0001 (24 mo) Constant-murley ADLs (score):* G1 vs G2/G3*: p<0.01 (24 mo) Satisfaction: G1 vs G2 vs G3: p=0.28 (NS)
Collin (2015)106	24 mo	-Constant-Murley	G1: “Rehab program” (45) (nonoperative)	(Pre→post) Constant-Murley (score): 43→56	(Post) p < 0.05	NA	NA
Lambers Heerspink (2015)49	12 mo	-Constant-Murley -DSST -Disability VAS	G1: “Conservative Management” (31) G2: RC repair (25)	(Pre→12 mo) Constant-Murley (score): G1: 56.9→73.7 G2: 55.6→81.9 DSST (score): G1: 6.1→9.7 G2: 5.5→11.0 Disability VAS (cm): G1: 5.8→3.5 G2: 6.2→2.1	(Pre→12 mo) Constant (score change): G1: + 16.8 > MCID: + 10.4203 G2: + 26.3 > MCID: + 10.4203 DSST (score change): G1: + 3.6 > MCID: + 2.0203 G2: + 5.5 > MCID: + 2.0203	(12 mo) Constant-Murley (score): G1: 73.7; G2: 81.9 DSST (score): G1: 9.7; G2: 11.0 Disability VAS (cm): G1: 3.5; G2: 6.2→2.1	(12 mo) Constant-Murley: G1 vs G2: p > 0.05 (NS) DSST: G1 vs G2: p > 0.05 (NS) Disability VAS: G1 vs G2: p = 0.02*
Baumer (2016)121	≥9 wk	-WORC	G1: PT (25) G2: Healthy controls (25)	(Pre→≥9 wk) WORC (score): G1: 40.6→70.3 G2: 98.2	(Pre→≥9 wk) WORC: G1: p<0.01*	(≥9 wk) WORC (score): G1: 70.3; G2: 98.2	(≥9 wk) WORC: G1 vs G2: p < 0.01*
Christensen (2016)122	≥5 mo	-OSS -EQ-5D	G1: Non-operative (30) G2: Control (30)Δ	(Pre→3 mo→≥5 mo) OSS (score): G1: 26.0→34.2→37.7 (Pre→≥5 mo) EQ-5D (median score): G1: 0.671 → 0.755	(Pre→3 mo) OSS (score): G1: p < 0.05* (3 mo →5 mo) OSS (score): G1: p < 0.05* (Pre→≥5 mo) EQ-5D: G1: p = 0.009	NR	NA
Miller (2016)111	12 wk	-ASES -WORC -DASH	G1: Exercise therapy (5)	(Pre→12 wk) ASES (score): 50.7→88.1 DASH (score): 35→5.6 WORC (score): 1198.8→344.8	(12 wk) ASES (score): p = 0.043* DASH (score): p = 0.047* WORC (score): p = 0.02*	NA	NA
Mischke (2016)100	13 visits (time NR)	-GROC -Quick DASH	Conservative therapy (1)	(Pre→visit 10→ visit 13) GROC (score): NR→+3→+5 Quick DASH (score): 65.9→43.2→31.8	(Pre→visit 10→ visit 13) GROC (score change): +2 = MCID + 2 Quick DASH (score change): +34.1 > MCID: 10.0203	NA	NA
Upadhyaya (2016)103	10 yr	-NR	Non-operative treatment (1)	NR	NR	NA	NA
Moosmayer (2017)112	8.8 yr	-Constant- Murley -ASES -SF-36 PHSS -SF-36 MHSS	G1: Non-operative (49) G1a: Tear size < 9.9 mm (33) G1b: Tear size 10-19.9 mm (8) G1c: Tear Size ≥ 20 mm (8)	(≥ 8.8 yr) Constant-Murley (score): G1a: 82.0; G1b: 81.0; G1c: 58.5 ASES (score): G1a: 90.0; G1b: 82.5; G1c: 60.0 SF-36 PHSS (score): G1a: 51.5; G1b: 50.5; G1c: 46.0 SF-36 MHSS (score): G1a: 59.8; G1b: 61.1; G1c: 58.5	NR	(≥ 8.8 yr) Constant-Murley (score): G1a & G1b: 81.0 G1c: 58.5 ASES (score): G1a & G1b: 90.0 G1c: 60.0 SF-36 PHSS (score): G1a & G1b: 51.5 G1c: 46.0 SF-36 MHSS (score:) G1a & G1b: 59.9 G1c: 58.5	(≥ 8.8 yr) Constant-Murley (score): G1a & G1b vs G1c: P = 0.008* ASES (score): G1a & G1b vs G1c: P = 0.02* SF-36 PHSS (score): G1a & G1b vs G1c: P = 0.14 (NS) SF-36 MHSS (score): G1a & G1b vs G1c: P = 0. 53 (NS)

ASES, american shoulder and elbow surgeons index; ADLs, activities of daily living; Avg, average; Constant-murley, constant murley shoulder outcome score; CS, corticosteroid; DASH, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand outcome measure; DSST, Dutch simple shoulder test; EQ-5D, EuroQol questionnaire; G, group; GROC, global rating of change; JOAS, Japanese orthopedic association score; MCID, minimally clinically important difference; MCS, mental component score; Mo, month; MYMOP, measure yourself medical outcome profile; NA, not applicable; NR; not reported; NS, not statistically significant; ODSQ, Oxford disability shoulder questionnaire; OSS, Oxford shoulder score; PCS, physical component score; PT, physical therapy; RC-QOL, rotator cuff quality of life index instrument; SA scale, shoulder activity scale; SANE score, single assessment numeric evaluation; SF-12, 12 item short form survey; SF-36, 36 item short form survey; SST, simple shoulder test score; UCLA, University of California Los Angeles shoulder rating scale; VAS, visual analog scale; wk, week; WORC, Western Ontario rotator cuff index; yr, year; *, clinical significance, indicates a statistical significant difference and a ≥20% difference; †, G3 and G4 are a subset of G2; ‡, all subjects began a physical therapy program and were reevaluated at 6 and 12 weeks, at those times patient were assigned to G1, G2, or G3 based on findings; §, all subjects underwent a 3 mo supervised program of non-operative treatment & with an evaluated by orthopedic surgeon and assigned to G1 or G2; *, values estimated to nearest tenth based off graphical representation, as no specific numerical values reported