Partial Supraspinatus TearNCT07478835
VR-Assisted Rehabilitation in Partial Supraspinatus Tears
A study testing VR-assisted rehabilitation program and Conventional shoulder exercise program in people with Partial Supraspinatus Tear and Shoulder Pain, run by Hitit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears. Partial supraspinatus tears are a common cause of shoulder pain, functional limitation, restricted range of motion, and fear of movement. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Partial Supraspinatus Tear, Shoulder Pain
- What is being tested?
- VR-assisted rehabilitation program and Conventional shoulder exercise program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2025to 20 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18 to 65 years
- Shoulder pain persisting for more than four weeks
- Partial supraspinatus tendon tear confirmed by shoulder magnetic resonance imaging
Who cannot join
- Physiotherapy treatment within the previous six months
- Shoulder injection within the previous six months
- History of tendon repair surgery
- Communication or cognitive impairment
- Vertigo, vestibular disorder, or another condition causing balance instability
- History of epilepsy or seizures
Show all 11Show fewer
- Photosensitivity
- Diagnosed psychiatric condition, including an anxiety disorder or claustrophobia
- Additional orthopedic condition affecting the same shoulder
- Neurological, vascular, or cardiac disorder restricting functional capacity
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Hitit University Erol Olçok Research Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic
Çorum, Çorum, 19000
About this study
Official title: Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Rehabilitation on Pain, Kinesiophobia, Quality of Life, and Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness in Patients With Partial Supraspinatus Tears: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears. Partial supraspinatus tears are a common cause of shoulder pain, functional limitation, restricted range of motion, and fear of movement. Conservative rehabilitation is commonly used as first-line treatment, while evidence regarding immersive virtual reality rehabilitation in this patient population remains limited.
Participants were randomly allocated to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups received the same physical therapy modalities, including hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The control group subsequently performed conventional therapeutic shoulder exercises, whereas the virtual reality group performed approximately equal-duration immersive VR-based exercises instead of the conventional exercise component. Outcomes included pain, shoulder range of motion, disability, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life, and supraspinatus tendon thickness.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears.
Partial supraspinatus tendon tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and functional impairment and may be associated with restricted shoulder range of motion, reduced quality of life, and increased fear of movement. Conservative rehabilitation is commonly used as first-line treatment and typically includes physical therapy modalities together with exercises aimed at restoring shoulder mobility, rotator cuff function, and scapular control.
Virtual reality allows patients to perform repetitive, task-oriented upper-extremity movements within an interactive environment. Such systems may support active participation and provide visual feedback during movement; however, evidence regarding immersive virtual reality rehabilitation specifically in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears remains limited.
Participants with MRI-confirmed partial supraspinatus tendon tears were randomly allocated to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups received a standardized physical therapy program consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Following these physical therapy modalities, participants in the control group performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic exercises targeting shoulder mobility, stretching, strengthening, and scapular stabilization. Participants in the virtual reality group instead performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise. Thus, the virtual reality intervention replaced the conventional therapeutic exercise component rather than being added as an additional treatment, and the scheduled exercise duration was approximately equivalent between groups.
The intervention was delivered over 15 sessions during three weeks, with five sessions per week. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after completion of treatment.
The study evaluated pain intensity, passive shoulder range of motion, shoulder pain and disability, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life, and supraspinatus tendon thickness measured by ultrasonography. The aim was to compare immersive virtual reality-based exercise with conventional therapeutic exercise when delivered within an otherwise similar rehabilitation program.
- Conditions
- Partial Supraspinatus Tear, Shoulder Pain
- Being tested
- VR-assisted rehabilitation program, Conventional shoulder exercise program
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Kinesiophobia, Exercise Therapy, Rehabilitation, Rotator cuff
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain, Kinesiophobia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VR-assisted rehabilitation programBehavioural
Participants received physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise using a Meta Quest Pro headset instead of the conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise component. The virtual reality activities involved repetitive, task-oriented shoulder and upper-extremity movements within an interactive three-dimensional environment. The intervention was delivered five days per week for three weeks, for a total of 15 sessions.
Conventional shoulder exercise programBehavioural
After receiving physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, participants performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise. The program included scapular mobilization; stretching exercises for shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; and strengthening exercises for the shoulder and scapular stabilizer muscles. Exercises were performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. The intervention was delivered five days per week for three weeks, for a total of 15 sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| virtual reality group | Experimental | Participants received the same physical therapy modalities as the control group, consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise using a Meta Quest Pro headset instead of the conventional therapeutic exercise component. The virtual reality exercise was therefore a replacement rather than an additional treatment. Receives: Behavioral: VR-assisted rehabilitation program |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants received physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic shoulder exercises targeting shoulder mobility, stretching, strengthening, and scapular stabilization. Receives: Behavioral: Conventional shoulder exercise program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Pain intensity at rest and during shoulder movement was assessed separately using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain imaginable). Higher scores indicated greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Secondary outcomes (5)
Passive range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder
Passive range of motion of the affected shoulder, including flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation, was measured in degrees using a Saehan goniometer. Higher values indicated greater range of motion.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Shoulder pain and disability measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index is a 13-item questionnaire comprising a five-item pain subscale and an eight-item disability subscale. Pain, disability, and total scores are expressed on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater pain and disability.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Health-related quality of life measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36)
The Short Form-36 is a 36-item questionnaire comprising eight domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Kinesiophobia measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia is a 17-item questionnaire scored using a four-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement or reinjury.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Supraspinatus tendon thickness measured using ultrasonography (USG)
Supraspinatus tendon thickness was measured with the participant seated and the affected arm placed in the modified Crass position. Using a Logiq V2 portable ultrasound device, the transducer was positioned longitudinally over the supraspinatus tendon, and tendon thickness was measured at the point of maximal thickness and recorded in centimeters. The measurement procedure was based on the EURO-MUSCULUS shoulder scanning protocol.
Measured: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2025
- Primary completion20 Dec 2025
- Study completion20 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Partial Supraspinatus TearStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel groups. Both groups received the same standard physical therapy modalities. The control group subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise, whereas the experimental group performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based exercise instead of the conventional exercise component.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hitit University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Pınar Özge Başaran, Hitit University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07478835
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024-144
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to institutional regulations and the absence of participant consent for public data sharing.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Rehabilitation on Pain, Kinesiophobia, Quality of Life, and Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness in Patients With Partial Supraspinatus Tears: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07478835
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024-144
- Conditions
- Partial Supraspinatus Tear, Shoulder Pain
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Kinesiophobia, Exercise Therapy, Rehabilitation, Rotator cuff
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hitit UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears. Partial supraspinatus tears are a common cause of shoulder pain, functional limitation, restricted range of motion, and fear of movement. Conservative rehabilitation is commonly used as first-line treatment, while evidence regarding immersive virtual reality rehabilitation in this patient population remains limited.
Participants were randomly allocated to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups received the same physical therapy modalities, including hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The control group subsequently performed conventional therapeutic shoulder exercises, whereas the virtual reality group performed approximately equal-duration immersive VR-based exercises instead of the conventional exercise component. Outcomes included pain, shoulder range of motion, disability, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life, and supraspinatus tendon thickness.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears.
Partial supraspinatus tendon tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and functional impairment and may be associated with restricted shoulder range of motion, reduced quality of life, and increased fear of movement. Conservative rehabilitation is commonly used as first-line treatment and typically includes physical therapy modalities together with exercises aimed at restoring shoulder mobility, rotator cuff function, and scapular control.
Virtual reality allows patients to perform repetitive, task-oriented upper-extremity movements within an interactive environment. Such systems may support active participation and provide visual feedback during movement; however, evidence regarding immersive virtual reality rehabilitation specifically in patients with partial supraspinatus tendon tears remains limited.
Participants with MRI-confirmed partial supraspinatus tendon tears were randomly allocated to either a virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation group or a conventional rehabilitation group. Both groups received a standardized physical therapy program consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Following these physical therapy modalities, participants in the control group performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic exercises targeting shoulder mobility, stretching, strengthening, and scapular stabilization. Participants in the virtual reality group instead performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise. Thus, the virtual reality intervention replaced the conventional therapeutic exercise component rather than being added as an additional treatment, and the scheduled exercise duration was approximately equivalent between groups.
The intervention was delivered over 15 sessions during three weeks, with five sessions per week. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after completion of treatment.
The study evaluated pain intensity, passive shoulder range of motion, shoulder pain and disability, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life, and supraspinatus tendon thickness measured by ultrasonography. The aim was to compare immersive virtual reality-based exercise with conventional therapeutic exercise when delivered within an otherwise similar rehabilitation program.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel groups. Both groups received the same standard physical therapy modalities. The control group subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise, whereas the experimental group performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based exercise instead of the conventional exercise component.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| virtual reality group | Experimental | Behavioral: VR-assisted rehabilitation programParticipants received the same physical therapy modalities as the control group, consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise using a Meta Quest Pro headset instead of the conventional therapeutic exercise component. The virtual reality exercise was therefore a replacement rather than an additional treatment. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Conventional shoulder exercise programParticipants received physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic shoulder exercises targeting shoulder mobility, stretching, strengthening, and scapular stabilization. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged 18 to 65 years
- Shoulder pain persisting for more than four weeks
- Partial supraspinatus tendon tear confirmed by shoulder magnetic resonance imaging
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Physiotherapy treatment within the previous six months
- Shoulder injection within the previous six months
- History of tendon repair surgery
- Communication or cognitive impairment
- Vertigo, vestibular disorder, or another condition causing balance instability
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| VR-assisted rehabilitation programParticipants received physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. They subsequently performed approximately 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based upper-extremity exercise using a Meta Quest Pro headset instead of the conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise component. The virtual reality activities involved repetitive, task-oriented shoulder and upper-extremity movements within an interactive three-dimensional environment. The intervention was delivered five days per week for three weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. | Behavioural | virtual reality group |
| Conventional shoulder exercise programAfter receiving physical therapy modalities consisting of hot pack, therapeutic ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, participants performed approximately 30 minutes of supervised conventional therapeutic shoulder exercise. The program included scapular mobilization; stretching exercises for shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; and strengthening exercises for the shoulder and scapular stabilizer muscles. Exercises were performed in three sets of 10 repetitions. The intervention was delivered five days per week for three weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. | Behavioural | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Pain intensity at rest and during shoulder movement was assessed separately using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain imaginable). Higher scores indicated greater pain intensity.
5 secondary outcomes
Passive range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Shoulder pain and disability measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Health-related quality of life measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36)
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Kinesiophobia measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Supraspinatus tendon thickness measured using ultrasonography (USG)
Time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to institutional regulations and the absence of participant consent for public data sharing.
Related trials for Partial Supraspinatus Tear
Recruiting
Concentric vs Eccentric Full Can Exercise in Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
Partial Rotator Cuff Tears, Rotator Cuff Injuries
Recruiting
Novel Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
Supraspinatus Tear
Recruiting
Intralesional Versus Perilesional 5% Dextrose Injection in Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
Partial Rotator Cuff Tears, Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Effect of Central Sensitization on Response to Physical Therapy in Patients With Partial Supraspinatus Tear
Rotator Cuff Tears
Not yet recruiting
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
Partial Supraspinatus Tear, Rotator Cuff Tears (RCTs)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing VR-assisted rehabilitation program and Conventional shoulder exercise program in people with Partial Supraspinatus Tear and Shoulder Pain, run by Hitit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (time frame: Baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Sep 2026.