title: Prognostic Models in Adults Undergoing Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Disorders: Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rotator cuff-related disorders represent the largest subgroup of shoulder complaints. Despite the availability of various conservative and surgical treatment options, the precise indications for these options remain unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the available research on prognostic models for predicting outcomes in adults undergoing physical therapy for painful rotator cuff disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and PEDro databases and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) up to October 2015 were searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review included primary studies exploring prognostic models in adults undergoing physical therapy, with or without other conservative measures, for painful rotator cuff disorders. Primary outcomes were pain, disability, and adverse events. Inclusion was limited to prospective investigations of prognostic factors elicited at the baseline assessment. Study selection was independently performed by 2 reviewers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot-tested form was used to extract data on key aspects of study design, characteristics, analyses, and results. Risk of bias and applicability were independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Prediction Study Risk of Bias Assessment tool (PROBAST).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five studies were included in the review. These studies were extremely heterogeneous in many aspects of design, conduct, and analysis. The findings were analyzed narratively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All included studies were rated as at high risk of bias, and none of the resulting prognostic models was found to be usable in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are no prognostic models ready to inform clinical practice in the context of the review question, highlighting the need for further research on prognostic models for predicting outcomes in adults who undergo physical therapy for painful rotator cuff disorders. The design and conduct of future studies should be receptive to developing methods.
authors.affiliation: C. Braun, MSc, Health and Social Care Institute, School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, and Hochschule 21, Department of Health (Physiotherapy), Harburger Str 6, 21614 Buxtehude, Germany. c.braun@tees.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Cordula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: N.C. Hanchard, PhD, Health and Social Care Institute, School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University.
authors.forename: Nigel C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Hanchard
authors.affiliation: A.M. Batterham, PhD, Health and Social Care Institute, School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University.
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Batterham
authors.affiliation: H.H. Handoll, DPhil, Health and Social Care Institute, School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University.
authors.forename: Helen H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Handoll
authors.affiliation: A. Betthäuser, Dr (med), Schulter-Zentrum.com, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Betthäuser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome