Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40264916›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2025

Specific modes of exercise to improve rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dianxuan Wu, Zhicheng Wen, Haolin Ke, Jiexin Zhang, Shaozi Zhong, Jiachen Teng, Lan Xu, Jintao Li, Yan Shao, Chun Zeng

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Dianxuan Wu *Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Zhicheng Wen *Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Haolin Ke *Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jiexin ZhangDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Shaozi ZhongDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jiachen TengDepartment of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Lan XuDepartment of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Academy of Orthopedics·Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jintao Li *Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yan Shao *Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Chun Zeng *Department of Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of specific modes of exercise on rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) patients, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for conservative treatment and exercise prescription. Methods: Data sources included PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI, covering studies from database inception to June 2024. Study selection followed pre-set inclusion/exclusion criteria. Cochrane methods guided quality assessment and data extraction. Outcome measures included VAS, CMS, and DASH scores. Publication bias assessed via funnel plots; forest plots created using RevMan 5.4. Results: 13 studies (n = 690) met inclusion criteria for RCRSP exercise interventions. It is indicated that: (1) specific exercises led to modest improvements in performance of pain (SMD = -0.31, 95% CI: 0.46 to -0.16, P < 0.0001) and function, with enhancements in CMS (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.74, P < 0.00001) and DASH (SMD = -0.60, 95% CI: 0.80 to -0.39, P < 0.00001). (2) Interventions lasting less than 2 months were slightly more effective than those lasting 2 months or longer, observed in VAS (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI: 0.56 to -0.15, P = 0.0007), CMS (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.96, P < 0.00001), and DASH (SMD = -0.71, 95% CI: 0.99 to -0.43, P < 0.00001). (3) Subgroup analyses revealed that handgrip strength exercises enhanced shoulder pain relief, shoulder mobilization/stretching improved both function and pain levels over 2 months, scapular stabilization exercise improved pain and DASH performance over 2 months, eccentric exercises boosted CMS and DASH performance over 2 months, while proprioceptive exercises showed no significant improvement in pain or CMS performance. Conclusion: Compared to non-specific exercises, specific exercise programs moderately alleviate RCRSP symptoms, with shorter interventions (<2 months) demonstrating marginally superior outcomes. Efficacy varies by exercise type, emphasizing the need for individualized prescriptions. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024550602).

Indexed as

chronic sports injuriesexercise therapymeta-analysisrotator cuff-related shoulder painspecific exercise

Identifiers

PMID40264916
PMCPMC12011739

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.