Understanding symptoms and joint health in people with rotator cuff tears
Official title: Biomechanics Contributions to Symptoms and Joint Health in Individuals with Rotator Cuff Tears
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11122332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people with rotator cuff tears feel pain while others don’t, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how different factors, like nerves and mental well-being, can affect these symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $357,934 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR084273-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with rotator cuff tears, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, as well as healthy controls without tears.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to rotator cuff tears or those who have already undergone surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates why some individuals with rotator cuff tears experience pain while others do not. It examines the neural and sensory factors contributing to these symptoms through advanced imaging techniques and assessments of psychosocial factors. The study will also evaluate how neuromuscular control and joint health relate to these symptoms in different cohorts, including those with symptomatic tears, asymptomatic tears, and healthy individuals. By understanding these dynamics, the research aims to identify effective strategies for managing symptoms associated with rotator cuff injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals suffering from rotator cuff tear symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding rotator cuff tears and their management, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nichols, Jennifer a. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Nichols, Jennifer a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Meltblown scaffolds to help irreparable rotator cuff tears
A new 3-D biomaterial scaffold made from meltblown technology aims to improve interposition grafts for people with irreparable rotator cuff tears.
-
Predicting How Exercise Helpful Rotator Cuff Tears Will Turn Out
Aimed at people with rotator cuff tears, the grant investigates how a personalized exercise program might lead to better shoulder function and fewer surgeries.
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Nervous system role in recovering from painful rotator cuff tears
This project looks at how brain and nervous system factors influence recovery and pain after rotator cuff tears to help tailor treatments for people suffering from this condition.
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Turning harmful shoulder fat into healing beige fat with targeted nanomedicine
This project uses tiny medicine-filled nanoparticles to turn the harmful fat that builds up in torn shoulder muscles into healing, energy-burning fat to help people recover after rotator cuff tears.
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Biomusculoskeletal drivers of shoulder pain in rotator cuff tears
A research project will explore why some people with a torn rotator cuff have pain and others don’t by looking at nerves, brain signals, and shoulder muscle control.
-
Genetic links to rotator cuff tears and muscle fatty change
This project looks for genetic differences that raise the risk of rotator cuff tears, lead to fatty changes in shoulder muscles, and influence outcomes after surgery or physical therapy for people with atraumatic rotator cuff tears.
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.