Effectiveness of neuromuscular taping on painful hemiplegic shoulder: a randomised clinical trial

Purpose: 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). Methods: 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. Results: 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 degrees, than the control group in shoulder flexion (95% CI: 37.3-22.7) at 4 weeks and by 24.8 degrees (95% CI: 32.1-17.6) at 8 weeks as well as in abduction by 30.6 degrees (95% CI: 37.5-23.7) at 4 weeks and 25.1 degrees (95% CI: 33.8-16.3) at 8 weeks. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that NMT decreases pain and increases the ROM in subjects with shoulder pain after a stroke.