High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain

Efficacy of High Intensity Laser Treatment in Hemiplegic Shoulder Patients

High intensity laser therapy (HILT) has been considered as a treatment option for shoulder pain. In randomized controlled studies with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), there are publications showing its effectiveness in conditions such as shoulder pathologies such as subacromial impigment syndrome and adhesive capsulitis. However, there are few studies in the literature that focus on the effectiveness of HILT, especially in hemiplegic shoulder pain. In this study, we intended to investigate the effectiveness of HILT on pain, disability, function and quality of life in patients with HSP accompanied by PTRCT.

The study was designed as prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Participants with HSP accompanied by PTRCT (n=40) were randomly assigned to HILT and control groups. Group 1 (HILT group, n=20) received 3 sessions of HILT per week for 3 weeks in addition to the exercise program which performed 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Group 2 (Control group, n=20) received an exercise program for HSP of 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks.

Participants were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), passive Range of Motion (ROM), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and ultrasonographic PTRCT size,Fugl Meyer Assessment, Brunnstrom Stages, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants with HSP aged 50-85 years with hemiplegia duration> 2 months, suffered a stroke resulting in unilateral hemiplegia for the first time

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cases who had inflammatory rheumatic disease, cervical radiculopathy, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, coronary heart disease, cardiac pace-maker, neurological disease, shoulder surgery, and shoulder injection in the last 3 months