A randomized controlled trial of strapping to prevent post-stroke shoulder pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether strapping the shoulder in hemiplegic stroke patients: (1) prevents the development, or reduces the severity, of shoulder pain, (2) preserves range of movement in the shoulder, and (3) improves the functional outcomes for the arm and patient overall.

DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, single-blind controlled trial of shoulder strapping versus no strapping.

SETTING: Care of the elderly wards in a teaching hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.

SUBJECTS: All patients admitted with an acute hemiplegic stroke, who had persisting weakness of shoulder abduction.

INTERVENTION: The treatment group had their affected shoulder strapped for six weeks from randomization in addition to standard physiotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All subjects were assessed at entry (week 0), at end of the treatment phase (week 6) and two months later (week 14). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess shoulder pain severity whereas shoulder range of movement to the point of pain (SROMP) assessed passive range of movement and pain. Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) and Rankin Disability Index measured functional outcomes.

RESULTS: Ninety-eight subjects participated (49 strapped, 49 controls). Intention to treat analysis showed no significant difference in pain, range of movement or functional outcomes after the intervention phase or at the final assessment. However there were trends for less pain at six weeks (VAS, p = 0.11) and better final upper limb function (MAS, p = 0.16) in strapped patients. Skin reactions were uncommon (6.1%). The presence of neglect or sensory loss, but not subluxation, at baseline was independently associated with poor outcome. Range of movement was lost early (mean difference SROMP between hemiplegic and contralateral shoulders at baseline = 15.2 degrees (95% CI 10.9-19.5)) and continued throughout the study. Shoulder strapping did not alter the rate at which range of movement was lost.

CONCLUSIONS: No significant benefit with shoulder strapping was demonstrated and reasons for this are discussed. Range of movement in the hemiplegic shoulder is lost very early and any preventive treatments need to begin within the first 1-2 days after a stroke.