VR-Assisted Rehabilitation in Partial Supraspinatus Tears

NCT07478835 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-144
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 49
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears. Virtual reality has emerged as a promising tool to enhance patient engagement and improve rehabilitation outcomes in musculoskeletal disorders; however, evidence in this patient population remains limited. Participants will be assigned to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups will receive a structured physical therapy program, while the intervention group will additionally perform virtual reality-based exercises. The study will evaluate the potential benefits of virtual reality in improving clinical outcomes compared to conventional rehabilitation.

Conditions

Partial Supraspinatus Tear; Shoulder Pain

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Kinesiophobia; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Rotator cuff

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

  Pain intensity was evaluated using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Participants were asked to indicate the severity of their shoulder pain by selecting a number between 0 and 10, where 0 represented the absence of pain and 10 represented the most severe pain imaginable.Measurements were obtained both at rest and during shoulder movement, and the reported values were recorded as the participants' pain scores

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Passive range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

• Shoulder pain and functional impairment were assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

• Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

• Fear of movement and reinjury was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TAMPA)

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

• The supraspinatus tendon thickness was measured using Ultrasonography(USG)

  Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment

Study Arms (2)

virtual reality group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group received the same conventional treatment protocol and additionally performed virtual reality (VR)-assisted exercises. A Meta Quest Pro VR headset (Meta Platforms Inc.) was used to provide an immersive virtual environment during the intervention.

Behavioral: VR-assisted rehabilitation program

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

participants performed a set of therapeutic exercises after the same conventional treatment protocol

Behavioral: Conventional shoulder exercise program

Interventions

VR-assisted rehabilitation program BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the experimental group received the same conventional physiotherapy program as the control group and additionally performed virtual reality (VR)-assisted exercises. A Meta Quest Pro VR headset (Meta Platforms Inc.) was used to provide an immersive virtual environment during the intervention. The system provides high-resolution optics, a wide field of view, and six degrees of freedom (6DoF) motion tracking, allowing accurate tracking of upper extremity movements. VR-based exercises were designed to promote repetitive shoulder and upper limb movements through interactive, task-oriented activities within a three-dimensional virtual environment.

virtual reality group

Conventional shoulder exercise program BEHAVIORAL

After completion of the standard physiotherapy modalities, participants performed a set of therapeutic exercises aimed at improving shoulder mobility and coordination of the shoulder girdle muscles

Control 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:

• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Shoulder pain persisting for more than 4 weeks
• Diagnosis of partial supraspinatus tendon tear confirmed by shoulder magnetic resonance imaging

You may not qualify if:

• Received physiotherapy treatment within the previous 6 months
• Received shoulder injection within the previous 6 months
• History of tendon repair surgery
• Presence of communication or cognitive impairment
• Vertigo or vestibular disorders, or other conditions causing balance instability
• History of epilepsy or seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including anxiety disorders or claustrophobia)
• Any additional orthopedic condition affecting the same shoulder
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Neurological, vascular, or cardiac disorders that may restrict functional capacity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hitit University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hitit University Erol Olçok Research Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic

Çorum, 19000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain; Kinesiophobia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthralgia; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

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: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or the conventional exercise group. Both groups received the same standard physiotherapy modalities, while the experimental group additionally performed VR-based exercises.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2026
• First Posted: March 18, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 20, 2025
• Study Completion: December 20, 2025
• Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)