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Otago Shoulder Health: Stepped Care for Persistent Shoulder Pain – StePS-NZ

Have you had shoulder pain for more than 3 months?

In the StePS-NZ study we are comparing two different approaches for physiotherapy care for people with shoulder pain. Both groups will receive physiotherapy care that is based on the best research evidence and current guidelines for persistent pain.

The four providing physiotherapy clinics are in Auckland CBD , Ōtorohanga, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

Who can participate in the study?

You may be able to participate if:

  • You are aged 18 years or older
  • Have had shoulder pain for at least 3 months
  • Have not had any shoulder surgery, dislocation or fracture, or frozen shoulder
  • Have no underlying condition which affects joints such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Interested to participate in the study?

If you are interested to participate, you will need to:

  • Complete an initial online questionnaire (approx. 5 minutes):

StePS-NZ shoulder pain study online screening questionnaire

  • Attend a screening examination at one of our clinics. (45 minutes)

To recognize the actual or reasonable costs involved with the screening examination, you will be offered a petrol or food voucher of $30.

What will you be asked to do?

If you are eligible to participate, you will be asked to:

  • Attend up to 10 physiotherapy sessions over 3 months (half or one hour each)
  • Complete an activity and pain diary for the 3 months
  • Complete questionnaires at baseline and four more time points (15 minutes each)

You will not be charged for the physiotherapy sessions.

Detailed information on the study is available via our participant information sheet:

Steps shoulder pain participant information sheet

Contact us

If you have any questions about the study, please contact:

Christina Douglas
Email shoulder@otago.ac.nz

Study lead: Professor Gisela Sole
Ethics number: Health and Disability Ethics Committee, 2023 FULL 18871
Funding: NZ Health Research Council project grant. The primary investigator is Professor Gisela Sole.

Man in white tee shirt grasping his left shoulder

The Steps study compares two physiotherapy care approaches for people with shoulder pain.

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