The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a new rehabilitation protocol (apprehension-based training), leads to better recovery after shoulder dislocation among military personnel.
Participants will be randomly allocated to apprehension-based training or standard physical therapy. In apprehension-based training participants will train to control their shoulder under progressively more unstable conditions. Standard physical therapy will be provided based on the clinical judgment of the treating physical therapist The primary hypothesis is that participants undergoing apprehension-based training will experience a more complete recovery of function, better shoulder-related quality of life, and incur less recurrent dislocations.
Age 18-39 years
Shoulder dislocation (primary or recurrent) documented by a medical practitioner (physician, military medic)
Positive anterior apprehension test
Gross shoulder muscle strength 3/5 or greater
Previous shoulder fracture, tendon tear, or shoulder surgery
Voluntary shoulder dislocation
Functional (Stanmore polar III) shoulder instability
Dislocation associated with a motor vehicle accident.
Parallel
Apprehension-based training
BehavioralThis intervention is comprised of the 3 phases: Static phase - Isometric (static) exercises performed in progressively greater shoulder apprehension ("instability") provoking conditions Dynamic phase: Isotonic (dynamic) exercises using shoulder apprehension-provoking movement patterns at a gradually increasing pace of movement. Neurocognitive phase: Dynamic phase exercises are continued at a high pace with the addition of cognitive tasks ("distractions"). The intervention is guided by a physical therapist and includes up to 8 individual (one on one) sessions. In each session the physical therapist assesses exercise performance quality and when appropriate progresses exercise intensity and/or phase. Patients are expected to perform home exercises according to their phase of the program on a daily basis in between physical therapy sessions.
Standard physical therapy
BehavioralStandard physical will be provided based on the assessment and judgment of the physical therapist. Intervention may include active exercises for increased shoulder mobility, muscle strength and neuromuscular control. Intervention may also include manual therapies such as massage, soft-tissue and joint mobilizations, dry needling, and electrophysiological modalities. No more than 8 individual sessions with a physical therapist will be provided over the course of treatment with some form of a home exercise program in between.
Return to preinjury level of function
Patient's ability to resume their preinjury military and overall level of function will be assessed separately through a telephone interview 3 months after the end of their assigned intervention. This outcome will be rated dichotomously: "Yes" (have resumed my preinjury military/overall level of function), or "No" (have not been able to resume my preinjury military/overall level of function).
Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index
The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index is a self-reported measure of shoulder instability related quality of life. This questionnaire includes 21 items regarding symptoms, activity limitations, quality of life and emotions. Each item is scored on a 100mm visual analogue scale resulting in a total score of 0 - 2100 which can be converted to a percentage with greater scores indicating greater disability.
Recurrence
Recurrent events of instability, either in the form of a frank dislocation or a sensation of instability (subluxation) will be assessed through a telephone interview.
Supine moving apprehension test
Dynamic stability will be assessed with the supine moving apprehension test. This is a functional performance test in which the patient is asked to repeatedly move the shoulder into 135- and 180-degrees of abduction from a supine position while holding a dumbbell (2-3 kg). The number of repetitions over one minute comprises the score of the test.
Subjective shoulder value
A patient reported single numeric assessment of shoulder function as a percent of a normal shoulder: "What is the overall percent value of your shoulder if a completely normal shoulder represents 100%?"
Tampa scale of kinesiophobia
A self-reported 17-item fear of movement and reinjury measure. Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert scale for a total score between 17-68.
Anterior apprehension test
The sensation of apprehension will be assessed through the anterior apprehension test performed in 4 stages: 1.) shoulder abduction to 90 degrees; 2.) external rotation; 3.) horizontal abduction; 4.) Shoulder abduction beyond 90 degrees. Elicitation of apprehension (verbal, fascial expression, or muscle guarding) will be rated according to the stage at which it occurs (1-4). The test will be rated negative (5) if apprehension is not elicited at any stage.
Shoulder internal/external rotator muscle strength
Shoulder internal and external rotator muscle strength will be assessed using a hand-held dynamometer in a supine-lying position with the shoulder abducted 90 degrees, neutral rotation, and the elbow bent 90 degrees. The examiner will position a hand-held dynamometer over the distal anterior (internal rotator strength) or posterior (external rotator strength) aspect of the forearm and resist a maximal voluntary effort by the patient. two repetitions will be performed for each strength test with the highest value used for data analysis.
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Alon Rabin
Lead sponsor
Ariel University
Sponsor institution
Medical Corps, Israel Defense Force
Collaborator
