Shoulder pain after stroke: a research challenge.
BACKGROUND
An evidence-based approach to the management of shoulder pain after stroke is required, but systematic reviews have highlighted the small number of studies suitable for use in developing clinical guidelines.


METHODS
This brief overview summarises obstacles to shoulder pain research that systematic reviews have identified, and compares their therapeutic recommendations to the Royal College of Physicians National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians treating shoulder pain after stroke can refer to guidelines and systematic reviews, but there are differences in their conclusions regarding the use of steroid injections and electrical stimulation. There is unanimous agreement that further efforts are required to examine interventions singly and in combination.
Price
Christopher I M
CI
Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. c.i.m.price@ncl.ac.uk
D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008012:Lidocaine