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Group format rehabilitation is equally effective as individual therapy in patients with surgically repaired rotator cuff tears
Author(s) -
Kang Mani,
Bladon Jen,
Sergio Lauren E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.1795
Subject(s) - rotator cuff , medicine , rehabilitation , physical therapy , tears , dash , rotator cuff injury , range of motion , psychological intervention , population , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , nursing , environmental health , computer science , operating system
Abstract Objective Does group physiotherapy methods produce different results when compared with individual physiotherapy in persons with surgically repaired rotator cuff tears? No studies to date have examined the feasibility or effectiveness of such therapy formats. Given the prevalence of rotator cuff tears, a study examining group format therapy is warranted and can produce evidence to transform care for rotator cuff tear rehabilitation. Methods We analyzed the electronic medical records of persons that underwent rotator cuff repair surgery followed by the prescribedpost‐surgical physiotherapy at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Both groups were provided standard physiotherapy intervention protocol for post‐operative rotator cuff tear. Active range of motion (AROM), quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (Q‐DASH) measures, and efficiency measures were examined for differences between groups. Results No significant differences between AROM (abduction p = .92, lateral rotation p = .64, and flexion p = 1.00) and Q‐DASH ( p = .62) measures between groups were observed at discharge. Overall, group therapy participants required a greater number of visits ( p = .000); however, when separated by age groups, only the 60‐ to 69‐year‐old participants significantly differed in number of visits between groups ( p = .000), whereas no difference was observed in the 50‐ to 59‐year‐old participants ( p = .14). Conclusion Group format physiotherapy may be equally effective as individual formats in improving AROM and functional outcomes of participants with surgically repaired rotator cuff tears. Further research is needed to determine the optimal age range for group therapy interventions in this population.