41 patients with multidirectional instability of the shoulder were randomized to receive rehabilitation with either 12 weeks of the Watson program, which included scapular retraining exercises prior to strengthening exercises, or the Rockwood program. Patients were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after study initiation for outcome on functional scores, satisfaction, strength, dislocation rate, and adverse event rate. Results on the Western Ontario Shoulder Index significantly favoured the Watson program group after 12 and 24 weeks, and results on the Melbourne Instability Shoulder Score significantly favoured the Watson program group after 24 weeks. Dislocation was recorded in four patients in each group.