BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, increasing with age and affecting many functions. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of synchronized telerehabilitation and face-to-face rehabilitation approaches in terms of pain, function, and muscle activation in patients with partial rotator-cuff (RC) tears. METHODS: 44 patients with partial RC tear were randomly separated into two groups (Group-1:Telerehabilitation; Group-2: Face-to-face rehabilitation). Pain levels were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), shoulder function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scale, muscle activation levels using a superficial electromyogram (sEMG), and satisfaction levels using the Global Rating of Change (GRC) and the Telehealth Satisfaction Scale (TSS). RESULTS: The mean ages of the groups were 55.55 years (+/- 7.01) and 57.00 years (+/- 8.12), respectively. The VAS-rest score at Week 4 and the VAS-activity score at Weeks 4 and 8 showed a significant difference in favor of Group 2 (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001; p = 0.01, respectively). Significant improvements were seen in DASH (p < 0.0001, ES 0.85; p < 0.0001, ES 0.89) scores and sEMG activation of the infraspinatus (p < 0.0001, ES 0.69; p < 0.0001, ES 81), upper trapezius (p < 0.0001, ES 0.28; p < 0.0001, ES 0.33, respectively), anterior deltoid (p < 0.0001, ES 0.92; p < 0.0001, ES 0.94), middle deltoid (p < 0.0001, ES 0.66; p < 0.0001, ES 0.68), and posterior deltoid (p = 0.002, ES 0.92; p < 0.0001, ES 0.93) muscles, in both groups. No significant differences were found in GRC scores. CONCLUSION: Face-to-face rehabilitation is more effective at relieving pain. Synchronized telerehabilitation is a feasible way to improve shoulder function, muscle activation, and patient satisfaction. CLINICAL TRIAL URL/REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT05904249.

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