Effect of scapular hold-relax technique on shoulder pain in hemiplegic subjects: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poststroke shoulder pain is one of the most common (34%–86%) and significant problems that impairs the normal functioning and rehabilitation in stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on shoulder pain in hemiplegic patients. METHODS: A total of 30 stroke survivors with hemiplegia were recruited and randomly allocated to Group A (n = 15) and Group B (n = 15). The experimental group was administered conventional treatment plus scapular PNF-hold relax technique, whereas the control group received only conventional treatment comprised of passive shoulder range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 12 sessions (4 sessions per week). The outcome measure used to assess the level of shoulder pain before and after the intervention was visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed significant reduction in poststroke shoulder pain (PSSP) in both the experimental and control groups. Although the relief in PSSP was found, no statistically significant differences could be obtained between the groups. CONCLUSION: The reduction in shoulder pain observed in both the groups signifies the effectiveness of conventional measures (i.e., passive range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and TENS) in relieving the shoulder pain in hemiplegic patients. Clinically, it was seen that the experimental group exhibited better improvement around the shoulder. Hence, it can be stated that scapular PNF has a positive impact on PSSP, but it demands more vigorous future researches to prove the hypothesis correct statistically.