Effectiveness of Core Stabilization Exercises in Rotator Cuff Injuries

NCT07377292 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AhievranUERH-FTR-SD-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 69
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises added to conventional physical therapy in patients aged 40-60 with rotator cuff tears, compared to classic trunk and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises.

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Injury (RCI); Core Exercises Training

Keywords

Core exercise training; Rotator Cuff İnjury; Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual Analog Scale

  Pain intensity on the VAS (visual analog scale) is generally rated as "no pain" 0 points and "the most severe pain imaginable" 10 points (10 cm scale). Pain intensity scoring ranges are specified as \<3 mild pain, 3-6 moderate pain, \>6 severe pain.

  Before Treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Tendon Thickness

  Before Treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

• Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

  Before Treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

• Range Of Motion (ROM)

  Before Treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

• Core Muscle Strength

  Before Treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

Study Arms (3)

Core Stabilization Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients received conventional rehabilitation for the affected shoulder 5 days a week for 4 weeks and core stabilization exercises 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Other: Core Stabilization Exercises; Other: Conventional Rehabilitation

Classic Body Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients will receive conventional rehabilitation for the affected shoulder 5 days a week for 4 weeks, along with a classic trunk and abdominal strengthening program 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Other: Classic Trunk and Abdominal Strengthening Program; Other: Conventional Rehabilitation

Control Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Patients will receive conventional rehabilitation for the affected shoulder five days a week for four weeks.

Other: Conventional Rehabilitation

Interventions

Classic Trunk and Abdominal Strengthening Program OTHER

The program will be set up for 3 days a week over 4 weeks, consisting of a 35-minute session including a 5-minute warm-up, supervised by a physical therapist. Classic Williams 1-2-3 and McKenzie exercises will be provided.

Classic Body Exercise Group

Conventional Rehabilitation OTHER

1. Passive, assisted active, and active shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation exercises in the supine position 2. Active shoulder range of motion (ROM) exercises in a sitting or standing position 3. Shoulder flexion strengthening exercises 4. Shoulder external rotator and internal rotator strengthening exercises 5. Exercises to strengthen the lower, middle trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles 6. Posterior capsule stretching exercises 7. TENS (20 minutes) 8. Cold pack (10 minutes)

Classic Body Exercise Group; Control Group; Core Stabilization Group

Core Stabilization Exercises OTHER

The program will be set up as a 35-minute session, including a 5-minute warm-up, three days a week for four weeks, under the supervision of a physical therapist. Before starting the exercise, the pelvis will be moved forward and backward to teach the lumbar and pelvic neutral positions by contracting and pulling the abdominal muscles to reduce lumbar lordosis. A neutral position will be established before each session, and care will be taken to maintain the neutral position throughout the exercise. The exercises consist of three levels and will be applied gradually. The exercises given at the beginning will be made more difficult individually according to the patients' progress. When the patient can maintain the exercise position for more than 5 seconds, they will move on to the next level. A deep breath will be taken before starting the exercise, and the breath will be exhaled during the movement. The contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle should continue while exhaling.

Core Stabilization Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 40 to 60 years with a partial supraspinatus tear detected by MRI, reported by a radiologist, and confirmed by a physiatrist.
• Patients who test positive for at least two of the Jobe, Hawkins and Neer tests during the physical examination
• Patients with a visual analog scale (VAS) score between 3.5 and 7.4 millimeters (mm)

You may not qualify if:

• Participants do not wish to continue treatment for any reason
• Complete or massive rotator cuff tear
• Use of non-steroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• If they have received shoulder injections or physical therapy within the three months prior to the study
• History of acute trauma
• Presence of neurological disease
• History of surgery on the treated shoulder
• Symptomatic acromioclavicular joint arthritis
• Frozen shoulder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Injuries; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rupture; Wounds and Injuries; Shoulder Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Süleyman DALAR

CONTACT

+905384412189; suleymandalar39@gmail.com

Başak ÇİĞDEM KARAÇAY

CONTACT

+905445094803; basakcigdem@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Three groups along with the exercise control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 22, 2026
• First Posted: January 29, 2026
• Study Start: February 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 25, 2026
• Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)