Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of modified wheelchair arm-support to mitigate
hemiplegic shoulder pain and reduce pain frequency in stroke patients. DESIGN: A
single-blind randomized controlled trial using computer-generated simple
randomization. SETTING: Participants recruited from inpatients at the Guangdong
Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. SUBJECTS:
A total of 120 patients with
stroke were divided into two groups. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects underwent basic
rehabilitation training and wheelchair assistance with eight weeks follow-up
period. Patients in the treatment group additionally received modified wheelchair
arm-support for at least 60 minutes a day, six days a week, for four weeks.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was measured by the Visual Analogue Pain Scale
or Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcome was measured using the Upper
Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale, Modified Barthel Index and Quality of Life
Index. Measurements were made at 4 weeks and 12 weeks, following the
intervention. RESULTS: Patients age from 21 to 83 years (mean +/- SD = 62.41 +/-
12.26). The average duration of disease was 1.9 +/- 1.3 months. At four weeks,
the median of pain intensity was higher in the control group (median,
interquartile range = 3, 5.75 vs. 2, 3.75; P = 0.059). At 12 weeks, the median of
pain intensity was higher in the control group (median, interquartile range = 3,
5.00 vs. 0, 1.00; P < 0.001). At 12 weeks, patients with shoulder pain were
higher in the control group (6 vs. 1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using the modified
wheelchair arm-support could lead to the mitigation of hemiplegic shoulder pain
and reduction in pain incidence in stroke patients. It may also improve the
patients' quality of life.

Langue : ANGLAIS