Investigation of the relationship between shoulder pain and motor imagery ability, upper extremity functions and quality of life in stroke patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between shoulder pain and motor imagery ability, upper extremity functions and quality of life in stroke patients. Among the patients diagnosed with stroke, those with shoulder pain formed the first group, those without shoulder pain formed the second group, and healthy participants with sociodemographic characteristics similar to these two groups formed the third group. The study was conducted with 60 participants, 20 people in each group. Pain levels of stroke participants with shoulder pain were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale. While the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire and the Lateralization Test in the "Recognise Shoulder App" mobile application were used to evaluate the motor imagery abilities of stroke and healthy participants, the Box and Block Test was used to evaluate upper extremity functions. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity Scale was used only to evaluate the upper extremity functions of stroke participants. Quality of life of stroke participants was evaluated with the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale and the Modified Barthel Index. Data regarding motor imagery abilities and upper extremity functions of the three groups were compared. Additionally, quality of life data were compared between stroke groups. The results of our study revealed that the motor imagery abilities and upper extremity functions of stroke survivors were negatively affected compared to the healthy group (p<0.05). It was determined that stroke patients without shoulder pain were in better condition in terms of motor imagery abilities, upper extremity functions and quality of life compared to stroke patients with shoulder pain (p<0.05). This study emphasizes that shoulder pain in stroke patients may have negative effects on the patients' motor imagery abilities, and that shoulder pain negatively affects the patients' upper extremity functions and quality of life. We think that the complete implementation of treatment protocols for shoulder pain, as well as motor functions, in stroke rehabilitation programs may be better for the general development of patients.