AI Monitoring for Physiotherapy After Rotator Cuff Injury

(SPARS Trial)

Overseen By Robin Richards, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Disqualifiers: Neurological deficit, Failed surgery, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 3-5 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new tool called the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS), which monitors how well individuals perform shoulder exercises after a rotator cuff injury. The researchers aim to determine if this watch-like device can improve recovery by ensuring exercises are done correctly at home, without a physiotherapist's supervision. Individuals with a rotator cuff injury who perform physiotherapy exercises at home might be suitable for this study. Participants will join either a group with work-related shoulder injuries or a general shoulder program group. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance at-home recovery for many patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on physiotherapy exercises for shoulder recovery.

What prior data suggests that the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS) is safe for monitoring physiotherapy exercises?

Research has shown that the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS) has been tested in earlier studies to evaluate its effectiveness in helping people adhere to their shoulder exercise routines. These studies found that most users feel comfortable using SPARS. No reports of harm or negative effects have emerged from wearing the watch during exercises. The system uses a watch to monitor how well people perform their physiotherapy exercises at home. This non-invasive method does not involve surgery or entering the body. Overall, the SPARS system appears to be a safe way to track and improve exercise habits after a shoulder injury. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS) because it introduces artificial intelligence to monitor and support physiotherapy after a rotator cuff injury. Unlike traditional physiotherapy, which relies heavily on in-person guidance and subjective assessments, SPARS uses AI to provide real-time feedback and objective data on a patient's progress. This innovative approach aims to enhance personalized care, potentially speeding up recovery and improving outcomes by ensuring exercises are performed correctly and consistently. The hope is that this technology could revolutionize rehabilitation by making it more efficient and accessible.

What evidence suggests that the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS) is effective for monitoring physiotherapy exercises after a rotator cuff injury?

Research has shown that the Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS), which participants in this trial may use, effectively monitors how well patients perform at-home exercises after shoulder injuries. Studies have found that SPARS checks if patients perform their exercises correctly, which is crucial for recovery. Early results suggest that using SPARS helps people adhere to their exercise routines more consistently. Accurate tracking with SPARS has been linked to better recovery from shoulder injuries. This system ensures exercises are done properly, potentially speeding up healing. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Robin Richards

Principal Investigator

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with a rotator cuff injury (tendinosis, impingement syndrome, or tear) who are following a home physiotherapy plan. It's not for those with neurological issues in the upper limbs, treatment on both shoulders at once, or failed shoulder surgery.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a shoulder condition, such as tendinosis, impingement syndrome, or a tear in my rotator cuff.

I have been diagnosed with a shoulder condition, such as tendinosis, impingement syndrome, or a tear in the rotator cuff.

I am following a treatment plan that does not involve surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

I am receiving treatment for both of my shoulders at the same time.

I have weakness or loss of movement in my arm or hand.

I had a shoulder surgery before that didn't work.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Data Collection

Data collection at baseline at the time of informed consent

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo supervised physiotherapy sessions with SPARS system data collection

3-5 months

Bi-weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for recovery outcomes, including surveys and shoulder testing

Up to 1 year

Monthly visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Smart Physiotherapy Recognition System (SPARS)

Trial Overview The study tests the Smart Physiotherapy Activity Recognition System (SPARS), which uses a watch to monitor and ensure patients perform their shoulder exercises correctly at home after learning them during supervised sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Injured Worker Population Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants that have a confirmed rotator cuff pathology, and are undergoing physiotherapy at the Holland Centre for a work-related shoulder injury as part of the Working Condition Program.

Group II: OHIP (funded) Patient Population Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants that have a confirmed rotator cuff pathology, and are undergoing physiotherapy at the Holland Centre as part of the Shoulder Program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

693

Recruited

1,569,000+

Citations

1. bio-protocol.org bio-protocol.org/exchange/minidetail?id=6849258&type=30

Smart Physiotherapy Activity Recognition System ... The DASH has proven reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with shoulder problems [96-98]. Manual muscle testing and range of motion measurement ...

2. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/novel-shoulder-rehabilitation-program-spars-rehab

Novel Shoulder Rehabilitation Program (SPARS-REHAB) SPARS was successful in identifying shoulder exercises in healthy adults in the laboratory setting, and in patients undergoing physiotherapy for ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7381014/

Adherence Tracking With Smart Watches for Shoulder ... Inertial sensor data are collected during home physiotherapy for 120 patients with rotator cuff pathology over full treatment duration (up to 5 ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39888607/

Quantifying the Relationship Between At-Home Shoulder ... This study uses the Smart Physiotherapy Activity Recognition System to measure at-home physiotherapy participation in patients with rotator cuff injury.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590109525000205

Quantifying At-Home Physiotherapy Participation: SPARS ... This study compares at-home upper extremity physiotherapy participation as measured based on data captured with a smart watch to that recorded in self-report ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/ai-monitoring-for-physiotherapy-after-rotator-cuff-injury-d2822

AI Monitoring for Physiotherapy After Rotator Cuff Injury ... The main objectives of this study aims to test whether the SPARS system can effectively measure whether physiotherapy exercises are being done properly when ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/9/2936

Advanced Home-Based Shoulder Rehabilitation Incorporated into the Smart Physiotherapy Activity Recognition System (SPARS), the CRNN model takes the fixed-length windows of sensor data ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/389951522_Quantifying_At-Home_Physiotherapy_Participation_SPARS_Smart_Physiotherapy_Activity_Recognition_System_vs_Self-Reported_Diaries

Quantifying At-Home Physiotherapy Participation: SPARS ... This study uses the Smart Physiotherapy Activity Recognition System to measure at-home physiotherapy participation in patients with rotator cuff injury based on ...