Effects of electrical stimulation combined with rotator cuff rehabilitation for the management of hemiplegic shoulder pain and glenohumeral subluxation in people with chronic stroke

Kumar, Praveen; Harling, Sarah; Sparks, Abigail; Brouwers, Jakko

Abstract

Background: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) and Glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) are common post-stroke complications reported in up to 65% and 81% of patients. Poor motor function and prevalence of rotator cuff (RC) muscle weakness increases the risk of developing HSP and GHS.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of electrical stimulation combined with RC rehabilitation in reducing HSP and GHS in people with chronic stroke.
Methods: Twenty five people with stroke (17 men, 8 women; mean age 62±9 years) were seen in an out-patient settings, of which all had GHS and 17 patients had HSP. GHS (Acromion-greater tuberosity (AGT) distance) and thickness of supraspinatus muscle was assessed using diagnostic ultrasound (US). HSP was assessed with visual analogue scale during rest and on movement. Patients received electrical stimulation to supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor muslces (20-30 mins) and RC rehabilitation (isometric progressing to strength exercises) for 12 weeks, in addition to routine rehabilitation. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: At 12 weeks, 16 patients attended follow-up assessments and mean AGT distance reduced from 2.6cm to 2.4cm. Thickness of supraspinatus at rest increased from 1.3cm to 1.8cm and during contraction increased from 1.5 to 1.9cm. At rest, majority of patient did not report HSP both at baseline and follow-up period, however, HSP reduced by 60% during movement at the follow-up period.
Conclusion: Electrical stimulation targeting RC muslces combined with strength exercises has potential to reduce GHS and HSP in people with chronic stroke. Ultrasound has potential for use as an outcome measure both in research and clinical fields. Future research should consider investigating the effectiveness of electrical stimulation to RC muscles in a clinical trial both for prevention and treatment of HSP and GHS.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: ACPIN International Conference, 2022
• Start Date: Jul 11, 2022
• End Date: Jul 12, 2022
• Deposit Date: Dec 26, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 11, 2023
• Keywords: Stroke, Shoulder pain, Electrical stimulation, Rotator Cuff Rehab
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10274548
• Related Public URLs: https://www.acpin.net/2022-conference/