Remote App-based Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Repair
Vietnam102 participantsStarted 2026-04-14
Plain-language summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application for telemedicine in patients recovering from arthroscopic rotator cuff tendon repair. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a test group using a mobile application for exercise guidance and monitoring, or a control group receiving standard paper-based exercise instructions. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of rehabilitation, treatment adherence, cost savings, and patient satisfaction between the two methods over a 6-month follow-up period.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Demographics: Individuals aged 18 years or older.
* Diagnosis: Confirmed symptomatic rotator cuff tear requiring surgical intervention, specifically involving:
* Clinical Presentation: Persistent shoulder pain and functional deficits (e.g., positive impingement signs or weakness in abduction/external rotation) consistent with rotator cuff pathology.
* Radiological Confirmation: Imaging evidence (MRI or high-resolution ultrasound) of a full-thickness supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendon tear.
* Tear Characteristics: Small-to-medium-sized tears (maximum diameter \< 5 cm) categorized as reparable by the attending surgeon.
* Surgical Procedure: Patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) utilizing a standardized double-row suture bridge technique.
* Rehabilitation Adherence: Commitment to follow the standardized postoperative rehabilitation protocol as prescribed by the study.
* Cognitive and Functional Capacity:
* Absence of cognitive impairment, with the ability to comprehend and execute complex exercise instructions.
* Proficiency in digital literacy, including the regular use of an internet-enabled electronic device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) capable of video-based communication and data transmission.
* Documentation and Consent:
* Availability of comprehensive medical records, including pre- and postoperative clinical and radiological data.
* Provision of written informed consent by the patient or a …
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Constant-Murley score from baseline to 24 weeks post-surgery
Timeframe: From baseline (pre-operative) to 24 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
2
Change in Quick DASH score from baseline to 24 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Timeframe: From baseline (pre-operative) to 24 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair