187 patients with full thickness rotator cuff tears were randomized to receive early mobilization or standard immobilization for 6 weeks after mini-open rotator cuff repair (MORCR). At 6 weeks, the early mobilization group demonstrated greater abduction, flexion, and scaption than the standard group, but these differences were no longer significant at 3 months. At 6 months, the two groups also did not differ in power or health related quality of life. It was,therefore, concluded that early mobilization does not lead to any long term benefits over standard rehabilitation procedures in patients treated for rotator cuff tears.