European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION AND LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY ON HEMIPLEGIC SHOULDER PAIN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Done Namrata*, P. Kiran Prakash and Dr. Patchava Apparao

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hemiplegic shoulder pain is present at rest, during passive or active movement on the hemiplegic side after stroke with no direct relation to trauma or injury. It affects daily activities, poor recovery of arm function, quality of life and can increase duration of hospitalization. Muscle weakness after stroke is believed to be a primary reason for hemiplegic shoulder pain other factors such as subluxation, weakness in the rotator cuff muscles or tear, rotator cuff and deltoid tendinopathy and bicipital and supraspinatus tendon tenderness. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain and found remarkable reduction of pain and improved range of motion. Low level LASER therapy (LLLT) has been shown to reduce inflammation, edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a range of musculoskeletal pathologies. The effect is photochemical not thermal, the light triggers biochemical changes within the cells which can promote healing and fibroblastic stimulation and can enhance recovery of structural pathologies in hemiplegic shoulder pain. Aim and objective: aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and low-level LASER therapy on pain, disability and upper limb function in subjects with hemiplegic shoulder pain. Methods: 66 subjects who were diagnosed with hemiplegic shoulder pain were selected from the outpatient department of GSL Medical College and General Hospital, Rajahmahendravaram. The study was conducted during the period between July 2020 and June 2021. Prospective Study Design. Four times a week for four weeks. Results: all 66 subjects completed the entire study program as defined by 4week in the outpatient department basis. To observe the intervention impact before and after the intervention in the groups, analysis is carried out by using paired t-test. Conclusion: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is effective in reducing pain, disability and upper limb function in hemiplegic shoulder pain however low-level LASER therapy is more effective when compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Keywords: Stroke, Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain, Low Level LASER Therapy, SPADI and FMA-UE.