Effect of Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training in Individuals With Rotator Cuff Lesions

NCT07407088 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 43834581758'
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rotator cuff lesions are among the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation, often affecting daily living activities and quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy interventions such as therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents are widely used; however, persistent pain, kinesiophobia, and functional disability may limit treatment outcomes. Virtual reality-supported task-oriented training has emerged as a promising rehabilitation approach by providing immersive, functional, and goal-directed activities that may enhance motor performance and psychosocial outcomes. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of virtual reality-supported task-oriented training added to conventional physiotherapy in individuals with rotator cuff lesions. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy (therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents) and an intervention group receiving virtual reality-supported task-oriented training in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Both groups will undergo treatment three times per week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. Outcome measures will include pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); grip strength measured by dynamometry; pinch strength measured by pinchmeter; upper extremity function assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire; shoulder pain and disability assessed by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); kinesiophobia assessed by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia; pain catastrophizing assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; and anxiety and depression assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for individuals with rotator cuff lesions.

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Lesions

Keywords

Rotator cuff lesions; virtual reality; task-oriented training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Upper extremity functionality

  The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire will be used to assess upper extremity functional disability. The DASH is a self-reported outcome measure consisting of 30 items that evaluate difficulty in performing physical activities and the severity of symptoms related to upper extremity disorders. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability.

  6 week

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

  6 week

• Grip Strength

  6 week

• Pinch Strength

  6 week

• Disability

  6 week

• Kinesiophobia

  6 week

Study Arms (2)

Control Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants allocated to the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents. The treatment program will be administered three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Therapeutic exercises will focus on improving shoulder mobility, strength, and functional use of the upper extremity. Electrophysical agents will be applied as part of standard clinical practice to support pain management and tissue healing. No virtual reality-supported training will be provided to participants in this group.

Other: Conventional treatment

Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive virtual reality-supported task-oriented training in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Conventional physiotherapy will consist of therapeutic exercises and electrophysical agents and will be administered three times per week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. The virtual reality-supported task-oriented training will be delivered during the same treatment period and will include functional, goal-directed activities simulating activities of daily living, such as kitchen-related tasks, cleaning activities, and pushing and pulling movements. The virtual reality program will be performed using a virtual reality device and will be tailored to the participant's functional capacity and tolerance, with task difficulty progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period. The training aims to enhance shoulder function, upper extremity use, motor performance, and psychosocial outcomes by promoting active participation and

Other: Conventional treatment; Other: Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training

Interventions

Conventional treatment OTHER

The treatment program will be administered three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 sessions. Therapeutic exercises will focus on improving shoulder mobility, strength, and functional use of the upper extremity. Electrophysical agents will be applied as part of standard clinical practice to support pain management and tissue healing.

Control Group; Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training Group

Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training OTHER

he virtual reality-supported task-oriented training will be delivered during the same treatment period and will include functional, goal-directed activities simulating activities of daily living, such as kitchen-related tasks, cleaning activities, and pushing and pulling movements. The virtual reality program will be performed using a virtual reality device and will be tailored to the participant's functional capacity and tolerance, with task difficulty progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period. The training aims to enhance shoulder function, upper extremity use, motor performance, and psychosocial outcomes by promoting active participation and graded exposure to functional movements.

Virtual Reality-Supported Task-Oriented Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosed with a rotator cuff lesion confirmed by clinical examination and/or imaging methods (MRI or ultrasound)
• Presence of shoulder pain and functional limitation for at least 3 months
• Ability to actively use the affected upper extremity
• Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions
• Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of shoulder surgery on the affected side
• Full-thickness rotator cuff tear requiring surgical intervention
• Presence of shoulder fracture, dislocation, or acute traumatic injury within the last 6 months
• Neurological disorders affecting the upper extremity (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy)
• Systemic inflammatory or rheumatologic diseases affecting the shoulder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
• Severe cervical spine pathology with referred shoulder pain
• Severe visual, vestibular, or cognitive impairments that may limit participation in virtual reality training
• Current participation in another structured shoulder rehabilitation program
• Contraindications to physical therapy or virtual reality-based interventions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Mehmet CANLI, Ph.D.

  Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Model Details: randomized controlled trials

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2026
• First Posted: February 12, 2026
• Study Start: February 16, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)