Upper-extremity performance tests to guide return to sport after shoulder dislocation
Official title: Predictive Validity of an Upper Extremity Physical Performance Test Battery in Patients After Shoulder Dislocation: a Prospective Study
Run by University Ghent · NCT07115225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a set of shoulder performance tests and questionnaires can predict safe return to pre-injury sport level and quality of life for athletes aged 16-55 after shoulder dislocation and stabilization surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 16 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 129 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Antwerp and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 3, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | January 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | September 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07115225 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are athletes aged 16-55 with an anterior shoulder instability event who play sports with moderate-to-high shoulder demand, have a healthy contralateral shoulder, completed postoperative rehabilitation, and intend to return to their pre-injury sport.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not plan to return to their pre-injury sport, have other significant upper-limb pathologies (for example rotator cuff tears or posterior instability), or are pregnant are unlikely to benefit from these specific return-to-sport tests.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective exploratory study enrolls athletes aged 16-55 who experienced an anterior shoulder dislocation and completed postoperative rehabilitation. Participants complete preoperative questionnaires and monthly rehabilitation surveys (including the SIRSI) and then perform a one-time battery of analytical and physical performance tests (ROM, strength, M-AST, USSPT, m-CKCUEST) at the clinician-determined return-to-sport point. Patient-reported outcome measures are collected at that visit and every three months for one year after return to sport. The combined data will be analyzed to see if the test battery predicts return to pre-injury sports level, quality of life, confidence, and re-injury risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test battery could give clinicians objective criteria to time return to sport and help reduce re-injury while improving athletes' confidence and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Individual components such as ROM, strength testing, and specific functional tests have shown promise in shoulder research, but validating a combined return-to-sport battery after dislocation is relatively novel and not yet widely established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Practising sports with moderate to high demand on the shoulder (based on Degree of Shoulder Involvement in Sport (DOSIS) scale), minimal weekly 3 hours * Shoulder instability event (anterior direction) * Healthy contralateral shoulder * Completion of the postoperative rehabilitation protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Other upper limb pathologies/ associated injuries: e.g. posterior instability, or rotator cuff tear,... * Being pregnant * No intention to return to pre-injury sport
Where it's running
-
AZ Monica, Deurne - Orthopedie
Antwerp, Belgium Recruiting -
Department of rehabilitation sciences, Ghent university
Ghent, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ann Cools — University Ghent
- Study coordinator: Jasper Stubbe
- Email: jasper.stubbe@ugent.be
- Phone: +32 9 332 26 33
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.