Table 1 Selection criteria of participants

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older

• Isolated proximal humeral fracture, or proximal humeral fracture-dislocation with similar clinical presentation after reduction

• Available for recruitment within one year (365 days) post-fracture

• Any treatment received for proximal humeral fracture

• Ability to complete English-language questionnaires and to follow simple instructions in English

• Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire score 6–10 (indicates intact or mildly impaired cognitive functioning)

Exclusion criteria

• Other serious medical issues from the trauma (e.g. hip fracture, wrist fracture, nerve lesion, traumatic brain injury, muscle ruptures)

• Potentially confounding medical conditions (e.g. hemiplegic arm, previous shoulder surgery, re-fracture, severe rheumatoid arthritis)