Effectiveness of Technology-enabled Exercise Program in Firefighters With Shoulder Pain.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To assess if a technology-enabled Exercise program plus Education (TEEP + E) is more effective than Education program (EP) alone, in providing better outcomes (quality of life, at-work disability and productivity loss, firefighters' perception, adherence, overall improvement/deterioration) in firefighters with shoulder pain, at 3-, 6-and 12-month follow ups.

Official Title
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Development of A Technology-Enabled Intervention for Musculoskeletal Health: The Effectiveness of Technology-enabled Exercise Program in Firefighters With Shoulder Pain. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Shoulder Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise Program plus Education
* Other: Educational Program (EP).


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Active duty firefighters aged 18 to 100 years, with shoulder pain. Do not permanently use strong pain medications. Able to understand spoken and written English. Access to computer, internet and telecommunications application software (Skype). Exclusion Criteria: Firefighters who have had shoulder related surgeries in the last 6 months.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Exercise Program plus Education.<br>Rotator cuff stretching and strengthening exercises outlined in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines on management of rotator cuff problems. | Other: Exercise Program plus Education<br>* Rotator cuff exercises outlined in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines on management of rotator cuff problems.<br>* Other names: Exercise and Education;Other: Educational Program (EP).<br>* An information sheet form AAOS, outlining the anatomy, description, causes, symptoms, examination and imaging tests performed on individuals with shoulder conditions<br>* Other names: Education.;|
| Active Comparator: Educational Program (EP).<br>An information sheet form AAOS, outlining the anatomy, description, causes, symptoms, examination and imaging tests performed on individuals with shoulder conditions | Other: Educational Program (EP).<br>* An information sheet form AAOS, outlining the anatomy, description, causes, symptoms, examination and imaging tests performed on individuals with shoulder conditions<br>* Other names: Education.;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Firefighter Work Limitation Questionnaire | at-work disability and productivity loss | 3-months | 
| Firefighter Work Limitation Questionnaire | at-work disability and productivity loss | 6-months | 
| Firefighter Work Limitation Questionnaire | at-work disability and productivity loss | 12-months | 
| Short- Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index | Quality of life | 3-months | 
| Short- Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index | Quality of life | 6-months | 
| Short- Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index | Quality of life | 12-months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation | Patient's perception of the condition | 3-, 6- and 12-months | 
| Number of days lost | Work days lost due to the condition | 3-, 6- and 12-months | 
| Therapy Adherence Assessment Tool | Exercise adherence | 3-, 6- and 12-months | 
| Global Rating of Change Scale | To quantify a patient's improvement or deterioration over time | 6- and 12-months | 
| Adverse Effects | Have you experienced any exercise-induced pain | 3-, 6- and 12-months |