Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case series were eligible for inclusion. The review excluded individual RCTs that had already been included in three Cochrane systematic reviews.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of surgical or nonsurgical treatment were eligible for inclusion. The included studies used electrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, needle aspiration, and surgical interventions such as open, miniopen and arthroscopic surgical repair.
Participants included in the review
Studies of adult patients with RC pathology were eligible for inclusion. Eligible pathologies included full and partial-thickness tears of the RC, lesions, tendonitis and tendinopathy of supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis tendons, impingement syndrome, calcific tendonitis and bursitis. Studies of patients with RC pathology due to rheumatic disorders were excluded.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that assessed pain, function, disability, strength, patient satisfaction and time to return to work were included.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion.