Immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to support therapeutic exercise by increasing patient motivation, promoting movement through gamification, and potentially reducing pain perception during movement. However, evidence regarding its use in shoulder tendinopathy remains limited.
This randomized controlled pilot study will evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of an immersive VR-based exercise program compared with conventional physiotherapy in patients with shoulder tendinopathy. A total of 20 patients referred to the Rehabilitation Department of Hospital Universitario de La Línea de la Concepción will be randomly allocated to either a conventional therapeutic exercise group or an immersive VR-based exercise group. Both interventions will last 4 weeks, with 3 sessions per week, for a total of 12 sessions.
The primary outcome will be shoulder pain and disability measured with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, upper limb function, shoulder range of motion, isometric strength, kinesiophobia, and patient satisfaction. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Confirmed diagnosis of shoulder tendinopathy.
Referral to the shoulder rehabilitation program.
Age between 18 and 80 years.
Willingness to use immersive virtual reality headsets.
Acute or exacerbated phase of shoulder tendinopathy, defined as resting pain greater than 7 points on a 0-to-10 Numeric Rating Scale.
Simultaneous participation in another clinical study.
Current physiotherapy treatment for the same shoulder condition.
Recent infiltrative treatment within the previous 3 months.