A study conducted by David J. Berkoff, MD, of the University of North Carolina, aimed to determine if a Corrected Error Video (CEV) is as effective as a single visit with a physical therapist to teach patients how to properly perform shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Berkoff hosted a prospective single-blinded interventional trial analyzing 28 subjects, 16 using CEV and 12 in one session of physical therapy (PT) with handouts. Each group, whose members had no experience with shoulder PT or shoulder complaints, had 1 week to learn four exercises.

The exercises included: scapular retraction, standing row, external rotation with a band, and internal rotation with a band. According to an American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) news release, subjects were then videotaped individually as they performed exercises. Two PTs scored the tests using the shoulder exercise evaluation tool (SEAT). The scores showed no difference between the two groups, which suggests that using a CEV is as effective for teaching subjects to perform proper shoulder rehab exercises as a visit with a PT.

Berkoff states, “These results are significant for two reasons. First, having an additional tool to augment what the patient learns at an initial PT visit may help with exercise accuracy and hopefully therefore improve outcomes.” Berkoff adds, “Additionally as access to physical therapy becomes more limited due either to cost or insurance, identifying new tools to better help out patients will be essential.”

[Source: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine]