Research: The POWER Study

Research Summary

Tears of the shoulder rotator cuff tendons are a common cause of shoulder pain, disability, and absence from work.

Once a decision to undergo rotator cuff repair surgery has been made, patients are placed on a waiting list, and it can take weeks or months to receive the surgery. 

While waiting for surgery, many patients continue to experience significant pain and disability, and some will be unable to work.

This POWER study will test the effect of a physiotherapist-led exercise programme for patients waiting for shoulder surgery.

If treatment could be delivered to patients while on the waiting list with potential to reduce pain and disability, and also potentially reduce the need for surgery, there would be clear and significant patient benefit and also benefit to the NHS.

Research methods

Working with four NHS hospitals, we will recruit 76 patients waiting for rotator cuff repair surgery.

One group of patients will receive a programme of specific exercise, supported by a physiotherapist.

The second group will continue waiting for their surgery without additional treatment, which is the current standard of care. 

The programme of specific exercise can be supported over the telephone, via secure video platform, or face-to-face. 

We will monitor patients through the study by asking them to complete one questionnaire at the start and then three more electronic questionnaires after six weeks, three months and six months. 

We will also invite approximately 25 patients to take part in a further interview study to discuss their experience of the treatments and the POWER study.

Research outputs

Research outputs will include:

• publications in health journals
• presentations at health conferences
• information about whether we can do a large-scale study across the NHS