Short presentation of the research on management of shoulder pain in stroke

1. Shoulder pain in stroke.
Relation to clinical and functional factors.
dr n.med. Agnieszka Sobierajska-Rek
Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Gdansk

2. Design of the project
Part I (grant for Young Researchers MNiSW)
 Find causes of the shoulder pain in
stroke patients
- Central pain?
- Rotator cuff disorders?
- Adhesive capsulitis?
- Subluxation?
- Other?
Part II
 Construct effective profilaxis and
physiotherapy of shoulder pain in
stroke
- Inpatient therapy (acute and
hronic phase)
- Home therapy with the suport of
telerehabilitation (Norwegian Centre of Integrated
Care and Telemedicine)

3. Objectives
 To clarify clinical factors related to occurence of the shoulder pain in stroke
patients
 To assess influence of the functional condition on intensity of the pain
 To evaluate differences in muscular activity on affected and non-affected
shoulder.
 To assess differences in muscular activity between patients with- and
without pain.

4. Material
patients of Department of Rehabilitation MUG with hemiplegia caused by stroke
Research group
- Patients with shoulder pain during
passive/active movement or in static
positions
Control group
- Patients without shoulder pain
Exclusion criteria: lack of symptoms of plegia in upper limb,
previous injuries or diseases in shoulder area

5. Methods
 Modified Ashworth scale of spasticity
 Brunnström scale of functional ability of upper limb ,
 pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale),
 shoulder impingement evaluated with Neer’s test and Lock test,
 stability of scapulohumeral joint
 pain on pressure with the use of pressure algometer
 muscular activity of supraspinatus and long head of biceps with the use of
electromyography
Examination 4-8 weeks after stroke