Understanding Recovery from Rotator Cuff Pain
Official title: Patient-Specific Factors of Recovery in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11128590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to understand why some people recover well from rotator cuff pain with exercise, while others continue to experience discomfort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $235,331 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this type of work would be individuals experiencing shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendinopathy who are undergoing or considering resistance exercise treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose rotator cuff pain is not related to tendinopathy or who are not candidates for resistance exercise may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
What this research studies
Many people experience shoulder pain from rotator cuff issues, and while exercise is a common treatment, results can vary greatly. This project looks at how the tendon itself responds to exercise, how that relates to a person's pain and ability to move, and what other factors might play a role. We believe that muscle function, how the brain processes pain, and psychological factors all influence how well someone recovers. By understanding these individual differences, we hope to create more personalized exercise plans that lead to better outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective, tailored exercise programs that help more people fully recover from rotator cuff tendinopathy and avoid chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: While resistance exercise is a known treatment, this project explores new ways to personalize it by considering individual factors, building upon existing knowledge of tendon healing and pain mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Michener, Lori Ann — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Michener, Lori Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Personalized Achilles tendon rehab: how loading in daily life affects healing
A person with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy could benefit from a personalized rehab plan based on how their daily activities load the tendon.
-
Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Translation
A center-led program aims to uncover basic science and translational tools to improve care for people with Achilles tendinopathy.
-
Understanding the muscle-subtendon units in Achilles tendinopathy
This project explores why Achilles tendinopathy affects people differently by looking closely at the ankle’s tendon structure and how it responds to treatments.
-
Exosome-based biologic treatment for tendinopathy
A new exosome-based therapy called Altenex aims to treat tendinopathy safely and effectively in adults.
-
Quantifying Achilles Tendon Stress in Dancers to Prevent Tendinopathy
Aimed at female ballet dancers, this project will measure Achilles tendon stress during dance and develop better tools to monitor pain and guide injury prevention and recovery.
-
Role of CaV1.2 calcium channels in Achilles tendinopathy
This grant explores how a calcium channel called CaV1.2 may drive tendinopathy in the Achilles tendon and what this could mean for new treatments.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.