Pain Education After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Study Title: The Effect of Pain Neuroscience Education Combined with Conventional Rehabilitation on Pain Management and Functional Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether adding Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) to a conventional rehabilitation program improves pain management, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes in patients who have undergone mini-open surgery for rotator cuff tears (RCT). The study will also compare the effects of PNE when delivered before versus after surgery.

Who Can Participate: Adults aged 40-75 who have been diagnosed with a medium-sized rotator cuff tear and are scheduled for mini-open surgical repair. Participants must meet specific health criteria and be willing to participate in the rehabilitation program.

Study Details:

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

Group 1: Conventional rehabilitation only. Group 2: Conventional rehabilitation + PNE before surgery. Group 3: Conventional rehabilitation + PNE after surgery. PNE involves educational sessions that explain the biology of pain, how the nervous system processes pain, and strategies to reduce fear and catastrophizing related to pain.

The study will last approximately 12 weeks, with regular assessments of pain levels, physical function, and psychosocial factors (e.g., fear of movement, depression, sleep quality).

Potential Benefits:

Participants may experience reduced pain, improved shoulder function, and better overall recovery.

The study may provide valuable insights into how PNE can enhance rehabilitation outcomes for patients with rotator cuff tears.

Potential Risks:

Some participants may find the educational sessions time-consuming or mentally challenging.

There is a small risk of discomfort during physical assessments or rehabilitation exercises.

Why is this study important?:

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and disability, especially in older adults. Post-surgical pain and fear of movement can slow recovery and reduce quality of life. This study will help determine whether PNE, when combined with conventional rehabilitation, can improve recovery outcomes and provide a better understanding of how timing (before or after surgery) affects its effectiveness.

Background and Rationale

Rotator cuff tears (RCT) are a leading cause of shoulder pain and disability, particularly in aging populations. The prevalence of RCT increases with age, affecting approximately 28% of individuals aged 40 and rising to 60-80% in those aged 80. Surgical repair, such as mini-open rotator cuff repair, is often required for medium to large tears or when conservative treatments fail. While surgery aims to reduce pain and restore function, postoperative recovery can be challenging due to severe pain, fear of movement (kinesiophobia), and psychosocial factors like anxiety and depression. These factors can hinder rehabilitation and delay recovery.

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is an evidence-based approach that teaches patients about the biological and psychological mechanisms of pain. By helping patients understand how pain is processed by the nervous system, PNE reduces fear, catastrophizing, and negative beliefs about pain, thereby improving outcomes. While PNE has been shown to be effective in chronic pain conditions, its application in acute postoperative settings, particularly for rotator cuff repair, remains underexplored.

Study Objectives

This study aims to:

Evaluate the effectiveness of combining PNE with conventional rehabilitation in improving pain management, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes in patients undergoing mini-open rotator cuff repair.

Compare the effects of delivering PNE before surgery versus after surgery. Assess the impact of PNE on secondary outcomes, including kinesiophobia, depression, pressure pain threshold, conditioned pain modulation, sleep quality, postural alignment, and functional level.

Study Design

This is a randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups:

Group 1 (Control): Conventional rehabilitation only. Group 2 (Preoperative PNE): Conventional rehabilitation + PNE delivered before surgery.

Group 3 (Postoperative PNE): Conventional rehabilitation + PNE delivered after surgery.

Methodology

Participants: Adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosed medium-sized rotator cuff tear scheduled for mini-open surgical repair.

Intervention:

PNE: A structured educational program consisting of 2-3 sessions (45-60 minutes each) that explain the neurobiology of pain, the role of the central nervous system, and strategies to reduce pain-related fear and catastrophizing.

Conventional Rehabilitation: A standardized postoperative rehabilitation program focusing on pain management, range of motion, strength training, and functional recovery.

Outcome Measures:

Primary Outcomes: Pain intensity (measured by Visual Analog Scale), shoulder function (measured by Constant-Murley Score), and kinesiophobia (measured by Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia).

Secondary Outcomes: Depression (measured by Beck Depression Inventory), pressure pain threshold, conditioned pain modulation, sleep quality (measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), postural alignment, and functional level.

Timeline: Participants will be assessed at baseline (pre-surgery), immediately after PNE (if applicable), and at 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery.

Statistical Analysis

Data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat principles. Repeated-measures ANOVA will be used to compare outcomes across groups and time points. Subgroup analyses will explore the effects of PNE timing (preoperative vs. postoperative).

Significance

This study addresses a critical gap in the management of rotator cuff tears by investigating the role of PNE in enhancing postoperative recovery. If effective, PNE could be integrated into standard rehabilitation protocols to improve pain management, reduce fear of movement, and accelerate functional recovery. The study also aims to determine the optimal timing for PNE delivery, providing valuable insights for clinical practice.

Eligibility Criteria:
Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of a medium-sized rotator cuff tear (1-3 cm) confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and scheduled for surgical repair Age between 40 and 75 years Sufficient Turkish language proficiency to understand and complete the informed consent form and assessment scales Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24, indicating adequate cognitive function for study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

Corticosteroid injection received within the last 6 weeks Adhesive capsulitis, defined as loss of passive external rotation greater than 50% or 30° History of previous cervical, thoracic, or shoulder surgery Presence of cervical radiculopathy, characterized by pain and tingling radiating to the arm due to nerve root involvement Acromioclavicular joint pathology or shoulder instability causing shoulder pain Full-thickness rotator cuff tear Calcific tendinitis Systemic diseases (e.g., inflammatory arthritis, malignancy) or neurological disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, other neurological deficits) Fracture, labral lesion, or biceps tendon injury in the affected shoulder Prior participation in a chronic pain psychological management program or presence of generalized body pain