Functional and ultrasonographic evaluation of the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy and kinesio therapy in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy and superiority of high-intensity laser and taping therapy over conventional treatment according to functional and ultrasonographic evaluation findings in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain due to stroke sequelae. Materials and methods; Our study was designed as a single-blind progressive randomized controlled trial. The treatment groups were divided into three groups by randomization. The first group received conventional treatment, the second group received conventional treatment and high-intensity laser therapy, and the third group received conventional treatment and taping therapy. All groups were evaluated with passive shoulder joint range of motion, ultrasonographic evaluation findings, Brunstrom scale, modified Ashworth scale, visual analog scale, shoulder pain and disability scale, functional independence measure, and health assessment questionnaire before and after treatment. Repeated measures variance was used to compare the measurements obtained before and after treatment according to the study groups in the evaluation of outcome parameters, and the Mc-Nemar test was used to compare ultrasound findings. Results: The treatment groups were examined after treatment. Passive shoulder flexion, extension, external rotation, Brunstrom recovery scale, shoulder pain and disability scale pain scores, functional independence measure, and health assessment questionnaire scores showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. However, no significant difference was found between groups. No statistically significant difference was found in ultrasound imaging findings and spasticity scores after treatment. Visual analog scale scores and shoulder pain and disability scale disability scores showed statistically significant improvement in the laser group compared to both the taping group and the conventional treatment group. Conclusions and recommendations; all laser, taping, and conventional treatments are effective and safe in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain. However, it is seen that high-intensity laser therapy is superior to other groups in terms of pain control and upper extremity disability scores. With these results, it can be said that laser therapy is an effective and safe treatment option in the early period of treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain. In this regard, new studies with more patient participation evaluating the long-term treatment outcomes are needed. Keywords: Hemiplegic shoulder pain, laser therapy, taping therapy