Villar Alises, Olga , Cónstenla Cortés, Celia , Rodríguez-Piñero Durán, Manuel , RODRIGUEZ SANCHEZ-LAULHE, PABLO, Martínez Calderón, Javier , Suero Pineda, Alejandro
No
Musculoskelet. Sci. Pract.
Article
Científica
2
1
27/07/2026
001838693300001
2-s2.0-105045956184
Background Rotator cuff–related shoulder pain contributes to disability and healthcare use. Although therapeutic exercise is first-line treatment, limited supervision and adherence may reduce its effectiveness; digital rehabilitation with real-time feedback may address these limitations. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of adding a digital rehabilitation program to standard physiotherapy on pain, function, fear-avoidance beliefs, and healthcare utilization. Design Single-center, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Method Forty-six adults (mean age 59 years) with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain were randomized to 12 weeks of conventional physiotherapy or physiotherapy plus an AI-based digital rehabilitation program using computer vision for real-time feedback and performance monitoring. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Pain intensity (NPRS) was primary outcome; secondary outcomes included upper limb function (QuickDASH), fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ), and post-intervention healthcare utilization. Analyses followed an intention-to-treat approach. Results Pain reduction exceeded the MCID (1.3) at 4 and 12 weeks. Between-group differences favoured the intervention at Weeks 2 and 4 (MD -0.7; 95% CI -1.13 to -0.14 and MD -1.01; 95% CI -1.8 to -0.2, respectively). Upper limb function improved more at Week 4 (MD -7.3; 95% CI -12.3 to -2.2). FABQ scores decreased more at Week 12 (MD -7.6; 95% CI -14 to -0.5). Fewer participants in the experimental group required post-intervention healthcare (3 vs 10; p = 0.02). Conclusion Adding AI-based home exercise app to conventional treatment improve pain and may improve function and reduce healthcare utilization in rotator cuff–related shoulder pain. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.
adult; analgesia; arm function; Article; artificial intelligence; clinical article; computer vision; controlled study; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (score); Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire; feedback system; female; functional status; health care utilization; human; intention to treat analysis; intermethod comparison; kinesiotherapy; male; middle aged; outcome assessment; pain assessment; pain intensity; parallel design; physical performance; physiotherapy; randomized controlled trial; rotator cuff injury; shoulder pain; single blind procedure; telerehabilitation; treatment duration; treatment outcome