Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded The Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania a $100,331 Project Grant (CFDA 93.846: Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research) effective May 5, 2026, through April 30, 2028. This research project investigates the roles of real-world shoulder biomechanics in rotator cuff tendinopathy rehabilitation. The research addresses the high non-response rate to physical therapy (PT) treatment by examining how in-clinic therapeutic gains translate—or fail to translate—to improved real-world shoulder mechanics during activities of daily living.

The project delivers research findings through two coordinated aims: a cross-sectional study (K99 phase) that utilizes wearable sensors to track bilateral shoulder motion over seven days, applies motion analysis and musculoskeletal modeling to identify pathomechanics specific to functional daily tasks, and employs machine learning to quantify real-world cumulative rotator cuff tendon loading; and a longitudinal cohort study (R00 phase) that links real-world biomechanics with clinical outcomes including pain, shoulder function, and tendon structure through a three-month PT protocol. This research is expected to provide validated tools and evidence clarifying how patient shoulder motion and tendon loading deviate from normal status, ultimately improving understanding of pain recurrence and rehabilitation outcomes in rotator cuff tendinopathy.