Table 1.
Study | Study type | Sample size | Follow-up | Results and conclusions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chang et al.38 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 482 (six RCT) | Baseline, three, and six months | Early ROM exercise protocols accelerated recovery and postoperative stiffness, but likely result in improper tendon healing with large tears. |
Sheps et al.46 | RCT | n = 189 | Six weeks and three, six, 12, and 24 months | The early motion group demonstrated increased abduction and scapular plane elevation (p = 0.002) at six weeks, but no difference afterward. No difference in clinical outcomes or ADLs for early mobilization or immobilized groups at 24 months. |
Koh et al.42 | RCT | n = 100 | Six and 24 months | No difference in healing rate between four and eight months of immobilization after RCR for medium-sized rotator cuff tears. |
Kim et al.16 | Case series | n = 221 | Three and 12 months | Retears are infrequent after three months if sufficient healing and integrity demonstrated by repair at three months. |
Iannotti et al.53 | Cohort study | n = 113 | Two, six, 12, 16, 26, 39, and 52 weeks | Recurrent retear rate on MRI evaluation of RCR is 17% within one year. Retears primarily occur between six and 26 weeks. |
Cuff and Pupello39 | RCT | n = 68 | Nine and 12 months | Slightly higher rotator cuff healing rate in delayed PROM versus early PROM, but similar outcomes at one year in both groups. |
Lee et al.43 | RCT | n = 64 | Three, six, and 12 months | Increased risk of anatomic failure may occur with aggressive early passive rehabilitation versus limited early passive rehabilitation. |
Kim et al.41 | RCT | n = 105 | Three, six, and 12 months | Early PROM exercise did not statistically improve early gains in ROM or alleviate pain, but did not negatively affect cuff healing. |
Arndt et al.37 | Randomized prospective study | n = 100 | Three, six, 12, and final follow-up | Early passive motion demonstrated improved functional results with no significant difference in healing. |
Duzgun et al.40 | RCT | n = 29 | One, three, five, eight, 12, 16, and 24 weeks | Accelerated protocols were superior to slow protocol in functional activity level and pain during activity and at night. |
Raab et al.45 | RCT | n = 26 | Three months | CPM had a beneficial effect on ROM and pain relief for female patients and patients ≥60 years old, but no effect on overall shoulder score at three months. |
ADL: activities of daily living; CPM: continuous passive motion; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; PROM: passive range of motion; RCR: rotator cuff repair; RCT: randomized control trial; ROM: range of motion.