First author (Year)	Treatment duration (months)	Range of motion (ROM)	Stretching/flexibility	Strengthening	Joint mobilizations/manual therapy	Modalities	Pharmacological agents	Other
Itoi (1992)109	26 mo. (1 – 83 mo.)	1. Active ROM 2. Passive ROM	NR	1. “muscle strengthening exercises”	NR	NR	1. “anti-inflammatory agents” 2. injection (w/ & w/o CS) = ≤4x	1. Rest (not specified)
Bokor (1993)105	NR	NR	1. “stretching”	1. “strengthening”	NR	NR	1. NSAIDs 2. CS (n=16)	NR
Hawkins (1995)108	4 mo.	NR	NR	Weeks 1-10: 3x10; 1X/Day Weeks 10-16: 3x10: 3x/Week 6 Exercises: Add 1 every 2 wks 1. IR/ER “Rubber Tubing” 2. Short Arch FLX-EXT 3. Scapular retraction (Bilateral) 4. Supraspinatus drill (ABD arm from FLX & IR started position) 5. Long arc FLX/EXT 6. Diagonal PNF patterns with weights	NR	NR	NR	NR
Wirth (1997)114	≥ 3 mo.	Phase 1 1. Pendulum(s) 2. AAROM ER 3. Pulley system 4. Supine FLX & ER AROM 5. Wall Walks	Phase 1 1. osterior capsule stretch 2. Overhead stretch using pull-up bar	Phase 2A 2-3x/day; 1x5 reps; Band Color Progress 1x/2-3 weeks 1. IR/ER Therabands2. Scapular Retraction Theraband 3. Abduction (Elbow 90 °) Theraband4. Forward Press Theraband Phase 2B 2-3x/week 1. Wall Push-ups 2. Knee pushups 3. Shrug exercise 4. Shoulder press up from a chair 5. Scapular retraction (10 lbs; + 3lb/wk) Phase 3 2. Continue with exercises 2-3x/wk 3. Gradually reintegrate back into prior activities	NR	1. Hot shower 2. Heating pad 3. Cryotherapy post-exercise	NR	1. Activity modification 2. avoid the impingement arc >70 ° of elevation until symptoms improve 3. avoid “No Pain, No Gain” axiom of PT 4. Minimize and avoid pain
Palmer (1998)101*	10 sessions (3.5 mo.)	Phase 1 (AAROM – T-Bar) 1. FLX/EXT 2. Horizontal ABD 3. Scaption 4. ER 5. Unilateral shrugs 6. Arm circles	NR	Phase 2 1. Phase 1 – w/ ‘Light Resistance Band’ 2. Bicep Curl w/ gloves 3. Arm Circles w/ gloves 4. IR/IR w/ gloves 5. Breaststroke 6. Wall Push-ups 7. Functional Sweep Phase 3 1. Overhead crawl	NR	NR	NR	NR
Yamada (2000)115	NR	PROM 1. Flexion 2. ER	NR	1. “Strengthening exercises as needed”	NR	1. Hot Packs	1. CS: 1-2x/wk (Avg: 15 x)	1. Sling (1-3 weeks)
Goldberg (2001)107	NR	NR	1. Forward Elevation 2. ER 3. IR 4. Cross Body Stretch	1. Supine Press 2. “RC Specific Exercises” 3. *Progress Exercise until 1lb wgt could be lifted 20x overhead in seated position	NR	NR	NR	NR
Shibata (2001)126	24 wk	NR	NR	1. ‘cuff strengthening’	NR	heat	G1: 3 mL of 1% lidocaine G2: 2mg of dexamethasone +  3 mL of 1% Lidocaine	1. If not satisfied at 4 wk, option for surgical rotator cuff repair
Vad (2002)120	G1a: 8.2(1-22)wk G1b: 10.3(2-24) wk	1. Not specified ("formal PT”)	1. Not specified ("formal PT”)	1. Not specified ("formal PT”)	1. Not specified ("formal PT”)	1. Not specified ("formal PT”)	1. G1a: “Oral meds” 2. G1b: “Oral meds” & CS	1. Not specified (“formal PT”)
Piccoli (2004)102	7 wk (19 visits)	Phase 1 1. Wand exercises 2.FLX, ABD, ADD 2. Pendulums Phase 2 1. Wand exercises	Phase 1 1. Manual stretching Phase 3 1. Manual resistance PNF (D1F & D2F)	“Therapeutic exercise” Phase 1 1. Isometrics: flex, ER, IR 2. Scapula retraction (prone; 1 lb; 2x15) 3. UBE 5 min Phase 2 1. IR/ER “Rubber Tubing” 2. Short Arch FLX-EXT 3. Scapular retraction (Bilateral) 4. Supraspinatus drill (ABD arm from FLX & IR started position) 5. UBE 5 min → 7 min 6. Ball on wall (CW/CCW) Phase 3 1. Long arc FLX (5lb) 2. UBE 7 min → 10 min 3. Modified pushups (on knees)	NR	- Ultrasound - Cryotherapy	Tylenol (w/ codeine) Aspirin	HEP
Ainsworth (2006)104	3 mo (12 wk) Wk1-4: 1x/wk Wk4-8: 1x/2-3wk	NR	1. “Stretching”	Progression of treatment program 1. Shoulder FLX to 90 ° (supine) 2. ER w/ yellow thera-band (supine) 3. 20 ° sways w/ arm straight (supine) 4. FLX w/ progressive weights (supine) 5. #1-4 (progressive incline of plinth) 6. Wall slides (eccentric control) (stand) 7. Elevation through elbow FLX (sit) 8. Raise/lower hand in elevation (sit) 9. ER w/ yellow thera-band (sit) 10. Proprioceptive activity (sit/stand) Improving proprioception 2. Close kinetic chain positions	NR	NR	NR	1. Patient education: 3. Pathophysiology 4. Goals of rehab program 2. Postural correction: 3. HEP (3 exercises; 2-3x/day) 4. Re-education of Muscle recruitment 5. Adaptation (activities improve function w/o increasing pain)
Levy (2007)116	≥12 wk	1. Pendulums 2. AAROM FLX (supine) – 5 min	NR	1. FLX w/ 1-3lb (supine) – 5 min. 2. #1 w/ progressive incline (reclinesit) 3. FLX w/ elbow flexed using opposite arm for resistance (Stand/sit) – 10 reps	NR	NR	1. Pain meds (ibuprofen or other analgesic)	1. Patient education - booklet with exercises and advice 2. Unsupervised HEP (3-5x/day)
Lunn (2007)119	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	1. CS injection	1. Activity modification 2. “Physiotherapy conducted in a pool”
Ainsworth (2009)127	6 PT session	1. “Exercises improve range of motion”	1. “Stretching exercises to improve ROM of elevation, IR, & ER”	1. Anterior deltoid strengthening program 2. IR & ER (TB) 3. Activities to improve proprioception		1. Ultrasound (PRN)	2. CS injection (PRN)	1. “Advice” 2. Postural correction 3. Adaptation to functional activities
Baydar (2008)118	3 wk	Phase 1 1. Wand exercises 3. FLX, EXT, ABD, ADD, IR, ER 2. Pendulums	Phase 1 1. Posterior capsule stretch	Phase 2 1. Thera-band & DB strengthening (IR, ER, FLX, EXT, ABD) 2. Scapula stabilization -Table push-ups -Shoulder shrugs -Shoulder press ups	NR	1. TEN 2. Ultrasound 3. Infrared radiation	NR	Phase 3 (Reintegration back to work/hobbies/sports)
Moosmayer (2010/2014)47,48†	12 wk (≥40 min)	NR	NR	1. ER/IR: isometric/concentric/eccentric 2. Scapulothoracic control/stability 3. GH joint control/stability (“centre humeral head in glenoid fossa”)	NR	NR	NR	1. Upper quarter posture 2. Exercise specific work, sport, leisure activities
Tanaka (2010)113	3.7 mo mo)	1. “PROM”	1. Stretching (RC & scapular muscles)	1. “Muscle strengthening exercises”	1. Tissue massage 2. “Manual therapy”	1. TEN 2. Ultrasound	1. NSAIDs 2. CS	1. Rest
Gialanella (2011)128	6 mo (15x 20 min)	All groups: PROM	NR	All groups: “cuff strengthening exercises”	All groups: “Passive GH joint mobilization”	NR	G1: CS x1 G2: CS x2 (21-day interval) CS: (40 mg triamcinolone)	NR
Merolla (2011)1	6 mo.	1. AAROM (2 wk; 3x/wk) -(scapulation, IR, ER) AROM (aquatic) (1 mo; 3x/wk)	1. “soft tissue stretching” “stretching exercises”	1. Anterior deltoid strengthening 2. IR/ER (TB) “Humeral positioners”	NR	1. Laser therapy (10 sessions)	1. NSAIDS	1. HEP
Kijma (2012)110	NR	“Training to improve ROM”	NR	“Training to improve strength training from a physical therapist”	NR	NR	1. CS‡ 2. NSAIDs 3. Muscle Relaxors 4. Suppositories, & anxiety drugs, or sleep inducers§	NR
Krischak (2013)124	2 mo	G2: Home exercises 1. Pendulums: -(FLX/EXT, CW/CCW) 2.AROM: (FLX, ER) 3. breast stroke	G2: Home exercises 1. Door stretch 2. Wall stretch (slides)	G2: Home exercises 1. IR isometrics 2. TB resistance: -ADD, ABD, EXT, ER 3. Self-resisted FLX	NR	NR	NR	1. G1: “Standard OT” G2: Postural & breathing exercises
Kuhn (2013)40 ***	≥ 6 wk	1. Pendulums -(FLX, EXT, CW, CCW) 2. AAROM -FLX, EXT, IR, ER, ABD, 3. AROM 5. FLX (use of mirror to prevent shoulder shrug)	1. Manual stretching: pectoralis minor, infraspinatus, teres minor, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and scalenes muscles 2. Sleeper stretch 3. Cross body stretch 4. Door/wall stretch	1. Jackins exercise (anterior deltoid strengthening) 2. Posterior deltoid (prone horizontal abduction) 3. Pushup plus 4. Scapular punch 5. Shoulder elevation (shrug) 6. Seated row (TB) 7. Low trap row (TB 8. Upright row 9. Chair press (lat strength) 10. Side-lying (DB) or standing (TB) ER	1. Maitland GH joint mobilizations: ** 2. Inferior glide 3. Anterior glide 4. Posterior glide 5. Long axis distraction 6. STM techniques††	NR	NR	1. Postural exercises 6. Scapular retraction 7. Standing spinal extension
Benazzo (2014)99	80 days	1. PROM 8. FLX, ABD, circumduction 2. AAROM	NR	1. Eccentric strengthening exercises	NR	NR	NR	1. Sling & immobilization (duration NR)
Boorman (2014)123	≥3 mo	NR	1. “Stretching exercises”	1. “Strengthening exercises for the shoulder”	NR	NR	1. Anti-inflammatory medications (optional)	1. Education regarding physical condition and goals of the rehabilitation program
Güzelant (2014)117 †††	≥3 mo	Phase 1 1. Pendulum(s) 2. AAROM ER 3. Pulley system 4. Supine FLX & ER AROM -Wall Walks	Phase 1 1. Posterior Capsule Stretch 2. Overhead Stretch Using Pull-up Bar	Phase 2A (2-3x/day; 1x5 reps) Band Color Progress 1x/2-3 weeks 1. IR/ER Therabands 2. Scapular Retraction Theraband 3. Abduction (Elbow 90 °) Theraband 4. Forward Press Theraband Phase 2B (2-3x/wk) 1. Wall Push-ups 2. Knee pushups 3. Shrug exercise 4. Shoulder press up from a chair 5. Scapular retraction (10 lbs; +3lb/wk) Phase 3 1. Continue with exercises (2-3x/wk) 2. Gradually reintegrate back into prior activities	NR	1. Hot Shower 2. Heating Pad Cryotherapy Post-Exercise	1. NSAIDs (mean duration of use: 10 days; range: 5-10 d)	1. Activity Modification 2. avoid the impingement arc >70 ° of elevation until symptoms improve 3. avoid “No Pain, No Gain” axiom of PT 4. Avoid & minimize pain
Kukkonen (2014/2015)52,125	≤ 6 mo (10 PT sessions)	Phase 1: (0-6 wk) 1. “Improving glenohumeral motion and active scapular retraction” Phase 2: (6-12 wk) 1. “Static & dynamic exercises for the scapula & GH musculature were gradually increased”	Phase 1: (0-6 wk) 1. “Improving GH motion & active scapular retraction”	Phase 2: (6-12 wk) “Static & dynamic exercises for the scapula & GH musculature were gradually increased” Phase 3: (12 wk-6 mo) 1. “increased resistance & strength training up to 6 months”	NR	NR	1. Prior CS injection (G1: n = 39; 71%) (NOT administered as part of the study treatment)	1. Written instructions 2. HEP
Collin (2015)106	≤24 mo (5 sessions)	1. Relieve muscle tension	1. “Relieve pain & muscle tension” muscles targeted: -Pectoralis minor -Upper trapezius -Elevator scapulae	1. “Strengthen muscles that stabilize & move the shoulder” 2. “Strength in the upper portion of the serratus anterior muscle” 3. “Strengthen intact rotator cuff muscles with special emphasis on the ER (teres minor) and coaptation of the deltoid” 4. “Ripped muscles that stabilize the GHJ but performing exercises with arm elevation”	1. “Gentle manual recess entering techniques”	NR	NR	1. Recover proprioception and movement automaticity via neuro motor rehab targeting movement integration (emphasis on bilateral symmetrical movements & visualizing targets)
Lambers Heerspink (2015)49	≥ 12 wk	Phase 1:(0-4 wk) 1. Maintain STJ mobility 2. PROM: -FLX/ABD -ER 3. circumduction Phase 2:(4-6 wk) 4. “Guided AROM”	NR	Phase 3:(6-12 wk) 1. AROM guided by pain 2. AROM coordination & stability training Phase 4: (>12 wk) 1. strength training 2. optimize mobility 3. coordination & stability training	NR	NR	1. CS Injection (≤ 3) 2. analgesic medication (optional) 4. NSAIDs 5. paracetamol 6. tramadol	1. Education regarding physical condition & goals of the rehab program 2. Advice about ADLs 3. Postural correction
Baumer (2016)121	47.4 days (9.8 sessions)	1. ROM (daily)	NR	1. RC strengthening (daily) 2. STJ retraining (3x/wk)	NR	NR	NR	1. HEP
Christensen (2016)122	5 mo (12 PT sessions)	3x/wk; ≤ 4x12 1. PROM: FLX (supine) 2. AAROM: FLX (supine) 3. AROM: ER (side-lying)	NR	3x/wk; ≤ 4x12 1. AAROM: FLX (semi-fowler's position) 2. AROM: FLX (standing) 3. AROM: ER (TB)	NR	NR	NR	1. Education: -physical condition -rationale of rehab program -how to manage pain related to exercise 2. HEP & training log
Miller (2016)111	12 wk	Phase 1: 0-1 wk 1. PROM cane3 -ER & IR -supine FLX -standing EXT 2. AAROM cane -supine ER -standing ABD, FLX, EXT 3. wall walks	Phase 2: 2-3 wk 1. cross body stretch 2. IR towel stretch 3. sleeper stretch	Phase 1: 0-1 wk 1. isometric IR & ER at 0 ° 2. side-lying ER (pain-free ROM) 3. prone GH EXT with ER 4. scapular plane ABD 5. scapular retraction 6. manually resisted scapular movements Phase 2: 2-3 wk 1. ER & IR at 0 ° with TB 2. ER @90 ° with TB 3. subscapularis hug with TB 4. scapular plane ABD 5. prone Row into ER 6. prone T's (horizontal ABD at 90 °) 7. prone Y's (horizontal ABD at 120 °) 8. Serratus protraction with FLX 9. wall push-ups with plus 10. latissimus pull down 11. Rhythmic stabilization w/ manual resistance 12. bicep curl 13. triceps push down		1. Cold therapy PRN		1. HEP
Mischke (2016)100	13 PT sessions	1. Shoulder (A)AROM	1. Posterior GH stretch	1. Rotator cuff isometrics 2. Rotator cuff isotonics 3. Scapular retraction 4. Bilateral GH ER 5. Dynamic hug 6. Pushup plus 7. PNF patterns (TB)	1. Joint mobilizations -GH Joint -Spine CPAs (T1-6) -Sternoclavicular joint 2. Thoracic joint 3. mobilizations	NR	NR	1. “Functional retraining” 2. HEP 3. Education: Independent progression of strengthening exercises
Upadhyaya (2016)103	NR	1. “Supervised physical therapy”	1. “Capsular stretching”	1. “[Rotator] cuff strengthening”	NR	NR	NR	1. HEP
Moosmayer (2017)112	≥ 3 mo.	“Physiotherapy”	“Physiotherapy”	“Physiotherapy”	“Physiotherapy”	NR	1. “Analgesics” (n=1) 2. CS injection (n=1)	1. Second bout of Physiotherapy with relapse of shoulder pain (n=7)

AAROM, Active assisted range of motion; AROM, active range of motion; ABD, abduction; ADD, abduction; CPAs, central posterior to anterior joint mobilizations; CS, corticosteroid; CW, clockwise; CCW, counterclockwise; D1F, PNF D1 flexion (flexion, adduction, external rotation); D2F, PNF D2 flexion (flexion, abduction and external rotation); DB , dumbbell; EXT, extension; ER, external rotation; FLX, flexion; GH, glenohumeral; HEP, home exercise program; IR, internal rotation; min, minutes; mo, month; NSAID, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug; NR, not reported; OT, occupational therapy; PT, physical therapy; PNF, proprioception neuromuscular facilitation; PRN, when necessary; PROM, Passive range of motion; reps, repetitions; RC, rotator cuff; STJ, scapulothoracic joint; STM, soft tissue mobilization; TB, thera-band; TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; wk, week(s); w/, with; w/o, without; *, aquatic therapy; †, non-surgical treatment was given on the basis of pre-established treatment goals in a non-standardized manner according to clinical findings and progress; ‡; included one of the following: Hyaluronic acid, 1% mepivacaine, or dexamethasone sodium phosphate; §, used together when night pain was intense; **, mobilizations parameters were 2-4 sets of 30 seconds with a frequency of 2-3 oscillations/second and a grade and specific direction of mobilization determined by the treating physical therapist; ††, soft tissue mobilization techniques were implemented at the discretion of the treating physical therapist and included muscle stretching, effleurage, friction and needing technique; ***, included supervised and/or home therapy: at 6 weeks follow-up subjects reported supervised therapy only (n=5), supervised and home therapy (n = 180) or home therapy only (n=41), average number of supervised visits: 7.99; †††, utilize the same rehabilitation program as Wirth (1997);