Prognostic Factors Investigated in Adults With Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain: A Scoping Review Protocol of Prospective Studies

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain affects individuals’ function and well-being, despite the availability of numerous treatment options. Because one-size-fits-all interventions have limited effects, identifying prognostic factors might support the development of more tailored treatments. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this scoping review is to identify and classify prognosis factors that influence rotator cuff-related shoulder pain outcomes. We will also examine how research is conducted, identify and analyze knowledge gaps and equity-diversity-inclusion issues, and prioritize future research topics. METHODS: The proposed scoping review will follow JBI methodology. This review will include studies involving adults (≥ 18 years) with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) and will exclude trials enrolling patients with other shoulder conditions. Only prospective primary studies and secondary analyses with a prognostic objective, will be considered. Retrospective cohort studies, analyses of health records will be excluded. Searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, APA PsycINFO, Ergonomic Abstracts, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles. Sources of unpublished and ongoing trials, as well as citation tracking of included studies will be considered. Articles published from database inception to the present will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen articles for relevance against the inclusion criteria, with a third reviewer resolving any discrepancy. Data extraction will follow the same approach as study selection. The evidence will be synthesized in tables, accompanied by a narrative summary and visual presentations. The influence of prognostic factors on RCRSP outcomes will be determined using a structured algorithm.