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A Neuromuscular Exercise Program for Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Shoulder Dislocation
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Interventions
Other: Standard home exercise program
Other: Neuromuscular exercise program
Registration Number
NCT02371928
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern Denmark
Brief Summary

This study is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a supervised neuromuscular exercise program versus a standard home exercise program for patients with post-traumatic symptomatic anterior shoulder instability.

Participants with at least one week of symptom duration are randomly assigned to either a 12-week structured, supervised Shoulder Instability Neuromuscular EXercise (SINEX) program versus a standard HOMe EXercise (HOMEX) program.

The H1-hypothesis is that the SINEX program results in a greater increase in quality of life and physical function than the HOMEX program at the primary endpoint at three months follow-up from baseline

Detailed Description

A common, and very painful, injury for individuals in their second and third decades is a traumatic dislocated shoulder. This injury accounts for almost 50% of all joint dislocations registered in the emergency departments. Due to post-traumatic laxity and injuries to the surrounding shoulder tissue, one major problem is the risk of developing a chronic recurrent instable shoulder affecting patients both physically and psychologically decreasing their overall quality of life.

Biomechanically, proprioceptive changes and decreased sensorimotor control are found in patients with post-traumatic shoulder instability inhibiting the ability to control and stabilize the glenohumeral joint. In other similar musculoskeletal disorders, recent studies clearly shows positive effects of progressive neuromuscular exercise.

Finally, no studies have yet investigated the effect of a structured, physical exercise-training regime based on neuromuscular principles targeting the shoulder joint.

This trial is performed as a randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled multi-center trial with cooperation from various shoulder outpatient clinics located at different hospitals in The Region of Southern and Northern Denmark.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
56
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Age between 18-39
  2. Minimum one radiographic verified anterior shoulder dislocation (total dissociation of the humeral head to the glenoid)
  3. Limited ability to maintain a desired level of physical activity (sports/leisure/work) due to pain and/or symptoms in the affected shoulder within the latest week.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Humeral fracture and/or bony bankart (visible on conventional radiographs at the time of presentation) warranted for surgery decided by the orthopedic (no other axial or appendicular musculoskeletal injury)
  2. Prior surgery in affected shoulder joint
  3. >5 anterior shoulder dislocations (verified by journal or subjective evaluation)
  4. Suspected competing diagnosis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, neurological disorders, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, suicidal threatened, borderline personality disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder
  5. Sensory and motor deficits in neck and shoulder
  6. Pregnancy
  7. Inadequacy in written and spoken Danish
  8. Not willing or able to attend 12 weeks of supervised exercise therapy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard home exercise programStandard home exercise programOne physiotherapeutic-supervised instruction in 12 weeks of active exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular muscles. Information about the shoulder injury and how to avoid pain provoking movements besides future implications is given. Also, participants receives one phone call after six weeks of training from a physiotherapist to ensure good compliance and answer any questions that the patient may have.
Neuromuscular exercise programNeuromuscular exercise programA 12-week physiotherapeutic, supervised exercise program with focus on neuromuscular shoulder control besides incorporation of kinetic chain exercises. The exercise program contains the following focal points: Scapula and glenohumeral setting/control, dynamic shoulder stability, muscle co-contractions (weight-bearing upper extremity exercises) and proprioceptive training.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI)Primary: 3 months. Other: 12, 24 months

The patient reported outcome, WOSI, consists of four domains covering "Physical Symptoms", "Sport/Recreation/Work", "Lifestyle" and "Emotions" with 21-item questionnaires in all. Each item is scored using a horizontal visual scale ranging from 0 to 100 mm (0-2100, with 0 as the level of no trouble).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Euro Qol 5D Index (EQ-5D)3,12, 24 months

Quality of life questionnaire

Change in Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia3,12, 24 months

Fear of movement and re-injury questionnaire

Change in the four sub-scales (domains) of WOSI3,12, 24 months

Questionnaire

Change in Patient Specific Functioning Scale3 months

Questionnaire

Global Perceived Effect3 months

Questionnaire

Change in Constant-Murley Shoulder Score3 months

100-point scoring system with self-reported and objective measurements included.

Number of changes in positive clinical tests for anterior shoulder instability3 months

Provocative clinical tests for anterior shoulder instability will be used to measure the number of positive and negative tests (Apprehension, relocation, surprise test)

Change in shoulder joint position sense3 months

Re-positioning test of the affected shoulder in abduction and flexion with the use of laser pointer measurements.

Number of participants with adverse events3 months

Open-probe questioning at 3 months follow-up besides any adverse events during the 12-week exercise program registered by the physiotherapists supervising the patients.

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Odense University Hospital

🇩🇰

Odense, Fyn, Denmark

Aalborg University Hospital

🇩🇰

Aalborg, Jutland, Denmark

Hospital of Southwest Denmark

🇩🇰

Esbjerg, Jutland, Denmark

Himmerland Hospital

🇩🇰

Farsø, Jutland, Denmark

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