The primary objective of this clinical trial is to investigate the effect of a block of four specific virtual reality (VR) exercises on upper limb function, pain, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing in individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). The secondary objective is to examine participants' tolerability of different VR interventions.
Study Procedures:
Participants will:
* Attend a face-to-face assessment to confirm eligibility and receive a standardized pain neurophysiology education session (week 0). * Visit the clinic once weekly for four weeks to undergo the VR interventions and review pain education concepts (Weeks 5 to 8). * Complete online questionnaires evaluating upper limb function, kinesiophobia, pain, sense of presence, and cybersickness.
Interventions
Four VR interventions will be tested:
* Unimanual distraction task with normal visual feedback * Bimanual distraction task with normal visual feedback * Unimanual reaching task with augmented visual feedback * Unimanual reaching task with diminished visual feedback
Findings will guide clinicians in selecting the most effective VR interventions for shoulder impairment and assess the feasibility of implementing VR in a private physiotherapy clinic for individuals with RCRSP.
Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (screen by phone and then confirmed by the physiotherapist at the initial evaluation: pain over the deltoid and/or upper arm region, pain associated with arm movement [painful arc of movement], and familiar pain reproduced with loading or resisted testing during external rotation of the arm) for at least 6 months
Minimum score of 15/100 on the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (1.5 times the minimally clinically important difference)
Unavailable for the 4 weeks intervention
Cannot understand or read French
Have a diagnosis of rheumatoid, inflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases
Have received a corticosteroid injection or any other type of injection (e.g., platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, hyaluronic acid) in the past three months for their current condition