Neurocognitive Loading Following Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-45
SponsorHacettepe University

About this trial

The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to learn if adding neurocognitive loading to standard shoulder rehabilitation improves physical and psychological recovery in adults who have undergone arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization surgery (such as Bankart repair, Latarjet, or remplissage procedures).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does adding neurocognitive loading exercises improve shoulder proprioception, muscle strength, and functional performance compared to standard therapy alone? Does this integrated training approach reduce the kinesiophobia? Does it lead to better overall clinical outcomes and improve psychological readiness to return to sports? Researchers will compare a group receiving standard shoulder exercises combined with dual-task neurocognitive loading (using light-based reaction systems and cognitive tasks) to a control group receiving standard shoulder rehabilitation alone. Participants will:Undergo supervised physical therapy sessions starting 10 days after surgery up to the 16th postoperative week (twice a week for the first 12 weeks, and once a week for weeks 13-16) alongside an assigned home exercise program. Complete neurocognitive loading tasks (if assigned to the intervention group) that challenge attention, quick decision-making, and visual reactions while executing physical movements. Attend detailed clinical evaluation sessions lasting about 60 minutes before the treatment starts, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. These assessments include neurocognitive, functional and clinical tests, and questionnaires.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Age: Participant must be between 18 and 45 years of age.

Diagnosis: Must have undergone arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization surgery (e.g., Bankart repair, Latarjet, or remplissage techniques) within the past month due to traumatic, unilateral anterior shoulder instability.

Postoperative Timeline: Currently within postoperative days 10 to 28.

Baseline Activity Level: Pre-injury physical activity level must be a score of 3 or higher on the Tegner Activity Scale.

Disqualifiers

Hypermobility: Diagnosed generalized joint hypermobility syndrome, defined as a Beighton Score of 5 or higher.

Neurological or Systemic Conditions: Presence of any systemic, rheumatic, or neurological disorders.

Previous Surgical History: History of prior shoulder surgery or revision surgery on the affected side, with the exception of the primary anterior shoulder stabilization and an accompanying SLAP lesion repair.

Concomitant Structural Pathology: Concomitant rotator cuff tear larger than 1 centimeter. History of osteochondral lesions or acromioclavicular separation injuries.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Standard Rehabilitation
  • Neurocognitive Loading

Treatment groups

32 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

This trial has no locations

Sponsors and collaborators