The use of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index to assess effectiveness of physical therapy on rotator cuff injuries: A systematic review

Abstract

The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) is a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess quality of life in patients with rotator cuff injuries. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions using WORC as an outcome measure in patients with rotator cuff injuries. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and PEDro from inception until August 2024. Out of 13 potentially eligible studies, five studies (218 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Various rehabilitation interventions, such as exercise therapy, neuromuscular training, kinesiotaping, and proprioceptive exercises, showed significant improvements in pain relief, shoulder function, and quality of life. These findings suggest that the WORC index is a reliable tool for assessing pain and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff injuries.