Rotator cuff rehabilitation: virtual reality validated by science (2023 study)

Virtual reality is no longer limited to neurorehabilitation. A recent study demonstrates its clinical effectiveness in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, particularly after rotator cuff surgery . An analysis of an innovation that is transforming the daily practice of physiotherapists.

From neurorehabilitation to daily practice

Long confined to video games or neurorehabilitation, virtual reality is gradually making its way into physiotherapy practices, including in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

One question remains central for practitioners: is this tool truly clinically relevant?

A recent study published in Bioengineering [1] provides concrete answers by evaluating an immersive application dedicated to shoulder rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Why cognitive training is becoming essential in sports rehabilitation

Rotator cuff rehabilitation: a daily challenge

Rotator cuff injuries are a common occurrence for physiotherapists. After surgery, rehabilitation relies on a demanding compromise:

• Protect the repaired tendon

• Gradually restore joint range of motion

• Maintaining patient adherence to a protocol that is often lengthy and repetitive

It is precisely on these three dimensions — guidance of movement, controlled progression and motivation — that virtual reality could bring real added value.

A protocol built on solid clinical foundations

The authors developed an immersive application using a Meta Quest 2 headset, based on the recommendations of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists (ASSET) [2] for postoperative shoulder rehabilitation.

The protocol included:

• Flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation movements

• Four progressive levels of joint range of motion

• Number of repetitions comparable to conventional protocols

• Morphological customization (size, arm length)

• Real-time visual and haptic feedback

💡 Key takeaway: VR acts here as a support for execution and feedback, without changing the fundamental principles of physiotherapy care.

Is movement in VR really reliable?

This is one of the major contributions of this study.

The movements performed in virtual reality were compared to those measured by stereophotogrammetry, considered the reference in biomechanical analysis [1].

The results show that:

• The targeted amplitudes were achieved in the majority of cases

• The errors remained small, particularly for flexion and abduction.

• VR performance was close to the reference values measured in the laboratory

In other words, the participants were not practicing "at random": the movement performed in virtual reality was generally faithful to the clinical objectives .

Identified limitations: Internal and external rotation exercises showed more errors, mainly related to trunk compensations [1]. This finding will resonate with any physiotherapist: isolating glenohumeral rotation remains complex even in conventional rehabilitation.

⚠️ Key point: Virtual reality does not replace physiotherapy. It should be used as a complementary tool, requiring a clinical eye capable of correcting compensatory patterns and educating the patient's movement.

What does VR actually bring to your practice?

These results represent an important step: they validate the use of virtual reality as a complementary clinical tool , capable of:

• ✅ Supports precise movement guidance

• ✅ Ensure controlled and measurable progress

• ✅ Strengthen patient adherence

• ✅ Freeing up time for analysis and therapeutic adjustment

KineQuantum fits precisely into this logic.

Our goal is not to offer a technological gadget, but to develop virtual reality solutions:

• Designed for everyday use

• Aligned with scientific recommendations

• Integrated into the physiotherapist's clinical reasoning

For you, this translates to:

• More time spent on analysis, adjustment, and support

• Less time spent simply repeating the exercises

• Valued professional expertise and more involved patients

A technology designed not to replace care, but to enhance the practitioner's expertise and the quality of care .

💡 Do you want to integrate virtual reality into your practice?

Discover how KineQuantum supports physiotherapists in their skills development with scientifically validated solutions?

Make an appointment .

📚 References

[1] Carnevale, A., Mannocchi, I., Schena, E., Carli, M., Hadj Sassi, MS, Marino, M., & Longo, UG (2023). Performance Evaluation of an Immersive Virtual Reality Application for Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Bioengineering , 10(11), 1305. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10111305

[2] American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists (ASSET). Clinical Practice Guidelines. Available at: https://www.asset-usa.org/about/