Proprioceptive Exercises Combined With Strengthening Exercises Are Not Superior to Strengthening Exercises Alone for Shoulder Pain and Disability in Individuals With Chronic Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of combining proprioceptive exercises with strengthening exercises versus strengthening exercises alone, on shoulder pain and disability in individuals with chronic rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP).

DESIGN

Parallel group randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Seventy individuals with chronic RCRSP were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 35; muscle strengthening exercises) or the experimental group (n = 35; muscle strengthening combined with proprioceptive exercises) for a 2-month program of supervised and home-based exercises. The primary outcome, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), was assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 5 months, while the secondary outcomes (pain intensity, proprioception, isokinetic muscle strength, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy), were evaluated at baseline and 2 months. A linear mixed model was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

There was no significant group-by-time interaction for the SPADI (P = .25). Significant time effects, but no between-group differences, were found for improvements in pain intensity, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, kinesthesia, and joint position sense, while a decline in lateral rotator peak torque was noted.

CONCLUSION

Combining proprioceptive with shoulder strengthening exercises did not lead to additional improvements across all outcomes in individuals with chronic RCRSP. The lack of a nonintervention group limits the ability to determine whether the improvements in both groups were due to the exercise programs or to natural recovery. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2025;55(7):495-511. Epub 16 June 2025. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.13097.