Increased Home-based Physical Therapy Adherence Using BAND Connect's VirtuaCare™ Platform

This study tests whether a digital physical therapy platform called VirtuaCare (by BAND Connect) improves home-based exercise adherence in patients recovering from shoulder surgery, including total shoulder replacement, reverse shoulder replacement, or rotator cuff repair. Physical therapy after shoulder surgery is critical for good outcomes, but many patients struggle to complete their home exercise programs consistently. Digital tools that provide guided exercises, reminders, and feedback could bridge the gap between clinic visits and home practice. Adult patients aged 18 or older who are having primary shoulder arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair performed by a specific surgeon at UC Health and are prescribed outpatient physical therapy afterward are eligible. Patients undergoing revision surgery, fracture repair, partial shoulder replacement, or who have uncontrolled diabetes, active cancer, or workers' compensation or litigation-related injuries are excluded. Participants will use the VirtuaCare platform to guide their home exercise program and will be compared to patients receiving standard rehabilitation without digital support. Outcomes including physical therapy adherence, shoulder function, and patient satisfaction will be tracked. This research matters because even modest improvements in home therapy compliance after shoulder surgery can meaningfully accelerate recovery and reduce long-term disability.