BACKGROUND: There is an important gap in knowledge about the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment (exercise) for patients with traumatic primary and recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations (ASDs). PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of physical therapist-supervised, shoulder instability neuromuscular exercise (SINEX) versus self-managed, home-based, standard care shoulder exercise (HOMEX) in patients with traumatic ASDs. The hypothesis was that SINEX would have a larger effect and fewer adverse events compared with HOMEX. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; level of evidence, 2. METHOD(S): A total of 56 participants with radiographically verified, trauma-initiated primary or recurrent ASDs and self-reported decreased shoulder function were randomized to 12 weeks of either SINEX or HOMEX. The SINEX program consisted of 7 exercises, individually progressing from basic (2x20 repetitions each day) to elite (2x10 repetitions, 3 times weekly). The HOMEX program included 5 shoulder exercises performed 3 times weekly (2x10 repetitions). The primary outcome was the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) score, ranging from 0 (best possible) to 2,100. The between-group minimal clinically important difference at 12 weeks was 250 points. Secondary outcomes included WOSI subdomain scores, patient-reported ratings of kinesiophobia and pain, objective shoulder function, patient satisfaction, and number of adverse events. RESULT(S): The between-group mean difference in the WOSI total score at 12 weeks significantly favored SINEX over HOMEX (-228.1 (95% CI -430.5 to -25.6)). SINEX was furthermore superior to HOMEX in most of the secondary outcomes (3/4 subdomains of the WOSI and pain level during the past 7 days as well as clinical signs of anterior shoulder instability). Also, although not statistically significant, less than half the proportion of the SINEX patients compared with the HOMEX patients (3/27 (11%) versus 6/24 (25%), respectively; p = 0.204) underwent or were referred for shoulder stabilizing surgery. Satisfaction with both exercise programs was high, and no serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION(S): Neuromuscular shoulder exercise (SINEX) was superior to standard care exercise (HOMEX) in patients with traumatic ASDs. Further long-term follow-ups on treatment effects are needed. REGISTRATION: NCT02371928 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

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