title: Effectiveness of neuromuscular taping on painful hemiplegic shoulder: a randomised clinical trial.
abstract: The purpose of this trial was to investigate changes in pain, the range of motion (ROM) and spasticity in people with painful hemiplegic shoulder (PHS) after the application of an upper limb neuromuscular taping (NMT).
  
  
  
  We conducted a randomised clinical trial. The study included 32 people, 31% female (mean ± SD age: 66 ± 9 years), with PHS after stroke with pain at rest and during functional movements. The experimental group received the application of NMT and a standard physical therapy programme (SPTP), whereas the control group received SPTP. The groups received four 45-minute long sessions over four weeks. The VAS, ROM and spasticity were assessed before and after the intervention with follow-up at four weeks.
  
  
  
  The experimental group had a greater reduction in pain compared to the control group at the end of the intervention, as well as at one month after the intervention (p < 0.001; all the group differences were greater than 4.5 cm, which is greater than the minimal clinically important difference of 2.0 cm). The experimental group had a significantly higher (i.e. better) ROM, by 30.0°, than the control group in shoulder flexion (95% CI: 37.3-22.7) at 4 weeks and by 24.8° (95% CI: 32.1-17.6) at 8 weeks as well as in abduction by 30.6° (95% CI: 37.5-23.7) at 4 weeks and 25.1° (95% CI: 33.8-16.3) at 8 weeks.
  
  
  
  Our study demonstrates that NMT decreases pain and increases the ROM in subjects with shoulder pain after a stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation Painful hemiplegic shoulder is a frequent complication after stroke with negative impacts on functional activities and on quality of life of people, moreover restricts rehabilitation intervention. Neuromuscular taping is a technique introduced by David Blow for the treatment of neuromuscoloskeletal problems. This study shows the reduction of pain and the improvement of range of motion after the application of an upper limb neuromuscular taping. Rehabilitation professionals who are involved in the management of painful hemiplegic shoulder may like to consider the benefits that neuromuscular taping can produce on upper limb.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biological and Neuromotor Sciences , University of Bologna , Italy ;
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pillastrini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Physiotherapy , University of Bologna , Italy ;
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocchi
authors.affiliation: c Department of Rehabilitative Medicine , AUSL Imola , Italy ;
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deserri
authors.affiliation: d Department of Rehabilitative Medicine , AUSL Romagna , Italy ;
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foschi
authors.affiliation: e Department of Sports Medicine , AUSL Ferrara , Italy ;
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mardegan
authors.affiliation: b Department of Physiotherapy , University of Bologna , Italy ;
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Naldi
authors.affiliation: f Department of Research , IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Jorge Hugo
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Villafañe
authors.affiliation: b Department of Physiotherapy , University of Bologna , Italy ;
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertozzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Pain; shoulder; stroke