Introduction:

Growing evidence suggests that shoulder injuries involving the rotator cuff cause severe pain and deterioration of quality of life and sleep.

Objective:

To present the results of a systematic review on the association of rotator cuff injuries with nighttime pain and sleep quality before and after treatment.

Material and methods:

We searched PubMed limited to humans, with no language, age and time period limit with the following terms: [rotator cuff tear and (nocturnal pain OR sleep)]. We used the PRISMA criteria for systematic reviews. Information was extracted on the frequency of nighttime pain and sleep quality in patients with rotator cuff injuries.

Results:

Of 123 records found, 10 studies were included for meeting criteria, including 1,516 patients. Nighttime pain affected 91-93% of patients; its average intensity was 5.5 points of the EVA. 100% of the studies reported alterations in sleep quality associated with rotator cuff injury. After repair, a decrease in pain to inferior scores of 2 and improvement in sleep quality were reported.

Conclusion:

Rotator cuff injuries produce nighttime pain and sleep quality disturbances that improve with treatment. Alterations in sleep quality are due not only to pain but to alterations in shoulder functionality.