Özet:

Purpose: Aim of this study is to compare the effects of shoulder taping (Tp) and neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) on shoulder function, motor activity, and pain in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Outpatients with ischemic stroke with upper extremity involvement were enrolled in the study. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to supported taping (TpG), NMES, or control groups (CG) within 1-3 months of stroke. Treatment duration was 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Sensorimotor Assessment Scale (FMSAS) and the Motor Activity Log-28 (MAL) were used for shoulder functional assessment. A Visual Analog Scale was used for shoulder pain assessment. Results: Statistically significant improvements in the FMSAS (TpG p ≤ 0.001; NMES p=0.002; CG p ≤ 0.001) and MAL scores (TpG p ≤ 0.001; NMES p ≤ 0. 001; CG p ≤ 0.001) were found in within-group comparisons. Within-group comparisons showed a significant decrease in shoulder pain intensity both at rest (TpG p = 0.007 and NMES p = 0.014) and with activity (TpG p≤ 0.01 and NMES p= 0.016), whereas no significant decrease was found in the CG either at rest or with activity pain (p = 0.054 for both). Between-group comparisons revealed a significant change (p=0.0026) in the FMSAS in favor of TpG (p ≤ 0.001). No difference was found in the MAL in between-group comparisons (p>0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of symptomatic shoulders in patients with hemiplegia, both options could be used to increase isolated motor activity; however, if function is desired, supportive taping would be more effective.

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