Smart Phone Applications in the Conservative Management of Shoulder Dislocation: A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial in the Efficacy of Smart Phone Applications as an Adjunct in the Rehabilitation of Shoulder Dislocations.

AIM: The Smart phone applications in the conservative management of shoulder dislocation (SPACS) study is a novel multi-centre, open label randomised controlled trial with a 24-month follow-up assessing the feasibility of a smart phone application as an adjunct to the conservative management of shoulder dislocation injuries.

METHOD: Patients with simple shoulder dislocation injuries were recruited on presentation to the emergency department for treatment. Both the control and treatment arm were given the face-to-face physiotherapy intervention that is considered the standard of care. Those allocated to the treatment arm were given access to a smart phone application that provided instruction for an intensive rehabilitation exercise program. Outcomes for both arms were assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS) at regular intervals up to 24 months.

RESULTS

Patients randomised to the treatment cohort achieved a superior mean OSIS score at all data points collected past 24 weeks from the date of injury.

DISCUSSION: The SPACS trial introduced a novel approach to conservative management of shoulder dislocations. An easily accessible adjunct to current rehabilitation regimes such as a smart phone application has the potential to offer a cost-effective, pragmatic solution to improve patient outcomes and reduce the strain on health resources.

CONCLUSION

Utilisation of smart phone applications has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and compliance with rehabilitation exercises for patients undergoing conservative management of shoulder dislocations.