Comparing Cognitive Functional Therapy and Therapeutic Exercises for Adults with Chronic Shoulder Pain

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether cognitive functional therapy is more effective than therapeutic exercises in reducing pain and disability for individuals with chronic shoulder pain. This randomized controlled trial includes 148 participants aged 18 to 65 years who have experienced shoulder pain for at least three months. The study aims to understand which treatment better improves pain, disability, function, and psychosocial factors related to shoulder pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive cognitive functional therapy once a week for four to eight weeks, focusing on changing beliefs about pain, gradually exposing patients to movements, and promoting lifestyle changes. The other group will follow a therapeutic exercise program twice a week for eight weeks, targeting shoulder muscles with specific exercises using progressive resistance bands. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments at baseline, four weeks, eight weeks, and a 12-week follow-up. Researchers will measure pain intensity, shoulder disability, specific function, fear of movement, pain self-efficacy, sleep quality, treatment expectations, perception of change, treatment satisfaction, and exercise adherence. The study includes monitoring for safety, and participants may be discontinued if certain injuries or treatments occur during the trial.

Cognitive Functional Therapy Versus Exercises for Chronic Shoulder Pain