Development of a rehabilitation guideline for patients undergoing an arthroscopic Bankart repair after traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, focusing on diminishing apprehension: an international Delphi-based consensus study

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a consensus-based rehabilitation guideline specifically designed to reduce apprehension following arthroscopic Bankart repair after traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation. DESIGN: Delphi-based consensus. METHOD: A comprehensive list of interventions for potential inclusion in a postoperative rehabilitation guideline was developed. American and European physiotherapists and orthopedic surgeons were invited to participate in a Delphi panel, engaging in three survey rounds. The health professionals were surveyed about their level of agreement on both initially listed and newly suggested interventions. Consensus was established when a 'critical-to-include' rating was given in ≥70% of all responses. Ten former patients were consulted to identify the intervention during standard care rehabilitation that had the most impact on reducing postoperative apprehension following ABR. Any interventions not initially listed in the first round were added to the second survey round of the Delphi process. RESULTS: Forty-four health professionals reached consensus on a set of 27 interventions for managing apprehension after arthroscopic Bankart repair. New interventions included gradual exposure to shoulder positions eliciting apprehension, training in anterior stability-provoking positions, and education addressing the impact of psychosocial factors. Former patients identified specific interventions that were effective in reducing postoperative apprehension following ABR. These interventions encompassed medicine ball throws, active assisted wall slides, and kinetic chain exercises in anterior stability-provoking positions. CONCLUSION: Our Delphi process informed expert recommendations for various interventions aimed at addressing apprehension associated with ABR. The recommendations were the foundation for developing a rehabilitation guideline (REGUIDE). The REGUIDE integrates principles from cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve rehabilitation and mitigate apprehension.