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Protocol for a multi-centre pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial with a nested qualitative study: Rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair (the RaCeR study)

Littlewood, C., Bateman, M., Cooke, K., Hennnings, S., Cookson, T., Bromley, K., Lewis, M., Funk, L., Denton, J., Moffatt, M., and others. (2019) Protocol for a multi-centre pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial with a nested qualitative study: Rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair (the RaCeR study). Trials, 20 (1). ISSN 1745-6215. (doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3407-3) (KAR id:98463)

Abstract

Background: Shoulder pain is a highly prevalent complaint and disorders of the rotator cuff, including tears, are thought to be the most common cause. The number of operations repair the torn rotator cuff has risen significantly in recent years. While surgical techniques have progressed, becoming less invasive and more secure, rehabilitation programmes have remained largely like those initially developed when surgical techniques were less advanced and more invasive. Uncertainty remains in relation to the length of post-surgical immobilisation and the amount of early load permitted at the repair site. In the context of this uncertainty, current practice is to follow a generally cautious approach, including long periods of immobilisation in a sling and avoidance of early active rehabilitation. Systematic review evidence suggests early mobilisation might be beneficial but further high-quality studies are required to evaluate this. Methods/design: RaCeR is a two-arm, multi-centre pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial with nested qualitative interviews. A total of 76 patients with non-traumatic rotator cuff tears who are scheduled to have a surgical repair will be recruited from up to five UK NHS hospitals and randomly allocated to either early patient-directed rehabilitation or standard rehabilitation that incorporates sling immobilisation. RaCeR will assess the feasibility of a future, substantive, multi-centre randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that, compared to standard rehabilitation incorporating sling immobilisation, early patient-directed rehabilitation is both more clinically effective and more cost-effective. In addition, a sample of patients and clinicians will be interviewed to understand the acceptability of the interventions and the barriers and enablers to adherence to the interventions. Discussion: Research to date suggests that there is the possibility of reducing the patient burden associated with post-operative immobilisation following surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff and improve clinical outcomes. There is a clear need for a high-quality, adequately powered, randomised trial to better inform clinical practice. Prior to a large-scale trial, we first need to undertake a pilot and feasibility trial to address current uncertainties about recruitment, retention and barriers to adherence to the interventions, particularly in relation to whether patients will be willing to begin moving their arm early after their operation.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1186/s13063-019-3407-3
Uncontrolled keywords: Exercise, Physiotherapy, Randomised controlled trial, Rehabilitation, Rotator cuff, Shoulder, Article, clinical protocol, controlled study, cost effectiveness analysis, European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions questionnaire, human, immobilization, intervention study, interview, major clinical study, movement (physiology), outcome assessment, Oxford Shoulder Score, physiotherapy, qualitative research, quality of life, randomized controlled trial, rehabilitation care, rotator cuff rupture, self report, shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, shoulder pain, shoulder surgery, treatment outcome, adverse event, convalescence, devices, feasibility study, kinesiotherapy, multicenter study (topic), orthopedic fixation device, pathophysiology, pilot study, procedures, randomized controlled trial (topic), rotator cuff, rotator cuff injury, shoulder pain, surgery, time factor, United Kingdom, Exercise Therapy, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Immobilization, Interviews as Topic, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Orthopedic Fixation Devices, Pilot Projects, Qualitative Research, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Recovery of Function, Rotator Cuff, Rotator Cuff Injuries, Shoulder Pain, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, United Kingdom
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Kent and Medway Medical School
Depositing User: Manfred Gschwandtner
Date Deposited: 30 Nov 2022 17:36 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/98463 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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