Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of specific modes of exercise on rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) patients, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for conservative treatment and exercise prescription.MethodsData sources included PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI...

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Main Authors: Dianxuan Wu, Zhicheng Wen, Haolin Ke, Jiexin Zhang, Shaozi Zhong, Jiachen Teng, Lan Xu, Jintao Li, Yan Shao, Chun Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1560597/full
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author Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Lan Xu
Lan Xu
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
author_facet Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Lan Xu
Lan Xu
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
author_sort Dianxuan Wu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of specific modes of exercise on rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) patients, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for conservative treatment and exercise prescription.MethodsData sources included PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI, covering studies from database inception to June 2024. Study selection followed pre-set inclusion/exclusion criteria. Cochrane methods guided quality assessment and data extraction. Outcome measures included VAS, CMS, and DASH scores. Publication bias assessed via funnel plots; forest plots created using RevMan 5.4.Results13 studies (n = 690) met inclusion criteria for RCRSP exercise interventions. It is indicated that: (1) specific exercises led to modest improvements in performance of pain (SMD = −0.31, 95% CI: 0.46 to −0.16, P < 0.0001) and function, with enhancements in CMS (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.74, P < 0.00001) and DASH (SMD = −0.60, 95% CI: 0.80 to −0.39, P < 0.00001). (2) Interventions lasting less than 2 months were slightly more effective than those lasting 2 months or longer, observed in VAS (SMD = −0.35, 95% CI: 0.56 to −0.15, P = 0.0007), CMS (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.96, P < 0.00001), and DASH (SMD = −0.71, 95% CI: 0.99 to −0.43, P < 0.00001). (3) Subgroup analyses revealed that handgrip strength exercises enhanced shoulder pain relief, shoulder mobilization/stretching improved both function and pain levels over 2 months, scapular stabilization exercise improved pain and DASH performance over 2 months, eccentric exercises boosted CMS and DASH performance over 2 months, while proprioceptive exercises showed no significant improvement in pain or CMS performance.ConclusionCompared to non-specific exercises, specific exercise programs moderately alleviate RCRSP symptoms, with shorter interventions (<2 months) demonstrating marginally superior outcomes. Efficacy varies by exercise type, emphasizing the need for individualized prescriptions.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42024550602).
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spelling doaj-art-9e962619626f4fd6a5b9c3a5d615d7662025-08-20T03:17:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-04-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15605971560597Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysisDianxuan Wu0Dianxuan Wu1Dianxuan Wu2Zhicheng Wen3Zhicheng Wen4Zhicheng Wen5Haolin Ke6Haolin Ke7Haolin Ke8Jiexin Zhang9Jiexin Zhang10Jiexin Zhang11Shaozi Zhong12Shaozi Zhong13Shaozi Zhong14Jiachen Teng15Jiachen Teng16Jiachen Teng17Lan Xu18Lan Xu19Jintao Li20Jintao Li21Jintao Li22Yan Shao23Yan Shao24Yan Shao25Yan Shao26Chun Zeng27Chun Zeng28Chun Zeng29Chun Zeng30Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaObjectiveTo investigate the effect of specific modes of exercise on rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) patients, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for conservative treatment and exercise prescription.MethodsData sources included PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI, covering studies from database inception to June 2024. Study selection followed pre-set inclusion/exclusion criteria. Cochrane methods guided quality assessment and data extraction. Outcome measures included VAS, CMS, and DASH scores. Publication bias assessed via funnel plots; forest plots created using RevMan 5.4.Results13 studies (n = 690) met inclusion criteria for RCRSP exercise interventions. It is indicated that: (1) specific exercises led to modest improvements in performance of pain (SMD = −0.31, 95% CI: 0.46 to −0.16, P < 0.0001) and function, with enhancements in CMS (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.74, P < 0.00001) and DASH (SMD = −0.60, 95% CI: 0.80 to −0.39, P < 0.00001). (2) Interventions lasting less than 2 months were slightly more effective than those lasting 2 months or longer, observed in VAS (SMD = −0.35, 95% CI: 0.56 to −0.15, P = 0.0007), CMS (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.96, P < 0.00001), and DASH (SMD = −0.71, 95% CI: 0.99 to −0.43, P < 0.00001). (3) Subgroup analyses revealed that handgrip strength exercises enhanced shoulder pain relief, shoulder mobilization/stretching improved both function and pain levels over 2 months, scapular stabilization exercise improved pain and DASH performance over 2 months, eccentric exercises boosted CMS and DASH performance over 2 months, while proprioceptive exercises showed no significant improvement in pain or CMS performance.ConclusionCompared to non-specific exercises, specific exercise programs moderately alleviate RCRSP symptoms, with shorter interventions (<2 months) demonstrating marginally superior outcomes. Efficacy varies by exercise type, emphasizing the need for individualized prescriptions.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42024550602).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1560597/fullexercise therapyspecific exercisechronic sports injuriesrotator cuff-related shoulder painmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Dianxuan Wu
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Zhicheng Wen
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Haolin Ke
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Jiexin Zhang
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Shaozi Zhong
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Jiachen Teng
Lan Xu
Lan Xu
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Jintao Li
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Yan Shao
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Chun Zeng
Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
exercise therapy
specific exercise
chronic sports injuries
rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
meta-analysis
title Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff related shoulder pain systematic review and meta analysis
topic exercise therapy
specific exercise
chronic sports injuries
rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1560597/full
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