Effectiveness of a graded exercise therapy program for patients with chronic shoulder complaints

Shoulder complaints are a major topic in primary health care: the 1998 point prevalence of self-reported shoulder pain in the general Dutch population was estimated at 21%, while 41% of all patients with shoulder complaints in the past 12 months visited a general practitioner (GP) (Picavet and Schouten 2003). A majority of shoulder complaints last for relatively long periods of time or recur: approximately 50% of all patients who visit their GP with a new episode endure complaints for up to six months (Kuipers et al 2004, van der Windt et al 1996, Winters et al 1997 and 1999) and up to 40% still have complaints after 12 months. Moreover, 46% of all patients with a new episode of complaints recall a previous history of shoulder complaints (van der Windt et al 1996). Eighty-five percent of patients with initial chronic shoulder pain in the general Swedish population still reported pain after 12 years (Andersson 2004).