Telerehabilitation-based motor control exercises after rotator cuff surgery: effects on shoulder function and quality of life

Background: To investigate the effects of motor control (MC) exercises delivered via telerehabilitation on shoulder function and quality of life in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery were included in the study. Participants were evaluated on pain (visual analog scale), active range of motion (AROM), lateral scapular slide test, shoulder girdle and handgrip muscle strength, function (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), and quality of life (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index). Participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups: the standard rehabilitation (STD) group and the MC group. Both groups received telerehabilitation sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Between-group comparisons and within-group time-dependent analyses were performed. Results: A total of 34 participants (29 females, 5 males; STD = 17, MC = 17) were included. Postoperatively, both groups demonstrated significant improvements over time in pain, AROM, muscle strength, and functional scores (P < .05). In the MC group, night pain was significantly lower at week 6, and shoulder external rotation AROM was significantly higher at week 12 (P < .05). Differences, changes, and rates of scapular dyskinesis in all 3 positions (0°, 45°, and 90° abduction) of the lateral scapular slide test were significantly better in the MC group (P < .001), with a significant group × time interaction (P < .05). Muscle strength and strength gains in shoulder flexion, abduction, and scapular elevation were significantly greater in the MC group (P < .05). No significant between-group differences were observed in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, or Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index scores or their changes (P > .05). Conclusion: According to our findings, the addition of MC exercises delivered via telerehabilitation to STD is more effective than STD alone in improving scapular mobility and increasing muscle strength in shoulder flexion, abduction, and scapular plane elevation.