Understanding Recovery from Rotator Cuff Pain

Patient-Specific Factors of Recovery in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-11128590

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11128590 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.