İzmir Democracy University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Treatment Various strategies are used in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy as conservative, mini-invasive, and surgical treatments. Conservative treatment includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, and physiotherapy methods (Chaudhury et al. 2010). The primary goal in physiotherapy applications is the restoration of normal shoulder movement patterns. It focuses on eliminating the loss of flexibility, movement, and strength that cause pain and regaining functions (Kibler, 2003). The response of tendon cells to load depends on both frequency and load. Tendon cells seem to be programmed to perceive a certain level of stress. Adequate doses of mechanical loading provide repair in the tendon. On the other hand, inadequate stimulation can prevent or slow down healing (Arnocky et al. 2007, Camargo et al. 2014).

Focus of attention Focus of attention refers to the place where a person pays attention while performing a certain movement. Wulf et al. (1998) conducted the first study on the focus of attention. When a person focuses on body parts while performing a movement, it is called internal focus, and when a person focuses on something outside the body, that is, the effect of the movement, it is called external focus. Studies show that external focus is effective in balance, performance, and motor learning (Park et al., 2015; Wulf et al., 2016). It has been determined that external focus is effective in improving motor learning and function (Castillo-Vejar et al., 2022). It has been observed that performing exercises with an external focus provides a decrease in the degree of perceived exertion (Lohse et al., 2011). In a study, the effects of internal focus, external focus, and the application without focus conditions on balance performance were evaluated. As a result, a positive effect of external focus on balance was found. Internal focus has been reported to cause a loss of performance on balance compared to the control group (Wulf et al., 2003).

This study aims to determine whether there is a difference between home exercise program, internal focus exercise, and external focus exercise in patients with Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy.

Exercise Programs Initially, patients will receive training (30 minutes) to ensure that the exercises are applied correctly and to encourage patient compliance.

Home program group (HPG): In addition to medical treatment, a home exercise program with a brochure will be given to the home exercise group. The exercise program includes; posture exercises, codman exercises, wand exercises, strengthening exercises in all directions of the shoulder, and wall ball rolling exercises. It will be stated that they will do the exercises regularly and follow the given recommendations and come for a check-up at the end of 6 weeks. During this period, individuals will be contacted by phone and interim follow-ups will be made.