Immersive Virtual Reality Versus Conventional Physiotherapy for Shoulder Tendinopathy

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Conventional Therapeutic Exercise: A supervised physiotherapy program consisting of stretching, strengthening, and motor control exercises for the shoulder, delivered over 12 sessions during 4 weeks.

Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Therapeutic Exercise: A supervised therapeutic exercise program supported by immersive virtual reality. Standalone virtual reality headsets will be used to deliver gamified exercises requiring shoulder movements, including flexion, abduction, and rotation. Virtual reality will be used as a motivational and distractive support tool, not as a replacement for therapeutic exercise principles.

Study summary

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to support therapeutic exercise by increasing patient motivation, promoting movement through gamification, and potentially reducing pain perception during movement. However, evidence regarding its use in shoulder tendinopathy remains limited.

This randomized controlled pilot study will evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of an immersive VR-based exercise program compared with conventional physiotherapy in patients with shoulder tendinopathy. A total of 20 patients referred to the Rehabilitation Department of Hospital Universitario de La Línea de la Concepción will be randomly allocated to either a conventional therapeutic exercise group or an immersive VR-based exercise group. Both interventions will last 4 weeks, with 3 sessions per week, for a total of 12 sessions.

The primary outcome will be shoulder pain and disability measured with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, upper limb function, shoulder range of motion, isometric strength, kinesiophobia, and patient satisfaction. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score — Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
  The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) will be used to assess shoulder pain and disability. The SPADI includes pain and disability domains, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater pain and disability. The primary endpoint will be the change in total SPADI score from baseline to post-intervention.

Trial sites (1)

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