Comparison of the efficiency of kinesio taping and electrical stimulation to prevention of shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients

İntroduction: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of Kinesio taping and electrical stimulation in the treatment of shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients. Material and Method: A total of 44 hemiplegic patients due to acute stroke were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups, taping (n=22) and stimulation (n=22) group. Treatment in both of the groups was based on the Bobath approach and Kinesio taping was applied in taping group and NMES to the Mm. Supraspinatus and Mm. Deltoideus was applied in the stimulation group in 3-week treatment period. At the beginning and the end of the treatment, shoulder subluxation was evaluated with anteroposterior radiographs of the subjects normal and affected shoulders in the sitting position. The degree of subluxation was determined by methods measuring vertical distance (measuring the shortest perpendicular distance (in milimeters) between tangents drawn through the inferior border of the acromion and the most superior aspect of the head of the humerus of the affected arm) and total asymmetry on the radiograph. Patients were assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for muscle tonus, Barthel Index for activity of daily living scale and Brunnstrom scale for motor evaluation of the upper extremity. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in demographic data, radiological findings and clinical evaluation parameters between two groups before treatment (p>0,05). While there was a statistically significant decrement in total asymmetry values of the stimulation group compared to taping group (p<0,05) there was no difference in vertical distance measurements in the radiological evaluation at the end of the treatment. While there was a significant difference in stimulation group (p<0,05) there was no significant difference in taping group (p>0,05) in intragroup evaluation. In activity of daily living scale evaluation significant healing was detected in stimulation group compared to kinesiotape group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS in intragroup and intergroup evaluations (p>0,05). While there was a significant increment in MAS compared to pre-treatment period in taping group in intragroup evaluation (p<0,05), there was no significant difference in stimulation group. There was no significant difference after treatment in intergroup evaluation (p>0,05). Conclusion: It's been concluded that NMES in addition to Bobath concept and shoulder protection strategies could be a very effective method for prevention of shoulder subluxation in patients with acute stroke. Kinesiotape was not enough alone for prevention of shoulder subluxation but it could be used in combination with other treatment methods.