Abstract
The objective of this article was to determine the correlation between two measures of hemiplegic shoulder pain, the Ritchie Articular Index (RAI) and the vertical Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and to explore the effect of participant characteristics on the distribution of the vertical VAS scores in a rehabilitation unit setting. Participants (n = 34) with first time stroke and upper limb hemiplegia were studied. A positive relationship between the RAI and vertical VAS scores (Spearman's rho = 0.57, P <0.01) was found. The distribution of the mean and median scores of the vertical VAS across the RAI scores was as anticipated, except for the RAI score of 3. A longer length of hospital stay and an ischaemic stroke were predictive of unmatched responses on the two pain scales. Either the RAI or the vertical VAS can be used to measure hemiplegic shoulder pain but further studies are required to identify possible explanations for unmatched responses on the two scales. The ability of participants with stroke to use the VAS requires further investigation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
