Zhang Zixin, Ferreira Giovanni E, Downes John Samuel, Cockburn Joseph Vincent, Burke William James, Malliaras Peter, Sousa Filho Luis Fernando, Maher Christopher G, Zadro Joshua R
Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2025 Feb;75:103246. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103246. Epub 2024 Dec 12.
To investigate the effectiveness of education for people with shoulder pain.
Systematic review LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched several databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL) and trial registries from inception to May 25, 2023.
Randomised controlled trials investigating any education for people with shoulder pain.
Pain and disability were primary outcomes. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess methodological quality. Meta-analysis was not appropriate due to heterogeneity.
We included 14 trials (8 had high methodological quality). The one trial on rotator-cuff related shoulder pain did not assess pain or disability but found best practice education (vs. structure-focused education) increased reassurance and intentions to stay active. The one trial on adhesive capsulitis found daily reminders, encouragement, and education about exercise via text did not improve pain and disability compared to no education. For post-operative shoulder pain, two (of four) trials found education reduced some measure of pain, but none found an effect on disability or any other outcomes. For 'shoulder complaints' (i.e. mixed or unclear diagnosis), no trials found education was more effective than home exercise or no education for improving pain or disability.
Some forms of education appear to improve reassurance, treatment intentions, perceived treatment needs, recovery expectations, and knowledge, but their effect on pain and disability is unclear. High-quality trials are needed to resolve uncertainty surrounding the benefit of education for shoulder pain, particularly rotator-cuff related shoulder pain and adhesive capsulitis.
