Myofascial Dysfunction in Post Stroke Shoulder Pain

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Dec 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying shoulder pain that many people experience after having a stroke, which affects 30-70% of stroke survivors. Researchers want to understand how changes in certain tissues around the shoulder contribute to this pain, especially since the level of muscle damage doesn’t always match the degree of pain felt. They will be using special imaging techniques to look at the muscles and identify what might be causing the pain. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and manage shoulder pain in stroke patients, which can help improve their quality of life and recovery.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have experienced a stroke that has left one side of their body weaker. They should have a noticeable difference in shoulder movement between their two arms, and it must be at least three months since their stroke. Participants will undergo various assessments, including imaging tests, to help researchers gather important information. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to shed light on the underlying issues of shoulder pain after a stroke, potentially leading to improved treatment options.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age ≥18 years;
• • hemiparesis from an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;
• • time since cerebral injury 3-180 months prior;
• • show a difference of more than 10 degrees of passive ER-ROM between non-paretic and paretic shoulders with or without pain
• • ability to give informed consent and HIPAA authorization, and comply with study protocols;
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • treatment of spasticity with Botulinum toxin or intrathecal baclofen within the past three months, phenol injections within the past 12 months, or ongoing adjustment of anti-spastic medications;
• • other neurologic condition that may affect motor response (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), MS);
• • clinically significant cognitive dysfunction with score \<19 on Folstein's Mini Mental Status Examination or positive depression screening on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9;
• • pregnancy;
• • known hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase;
• • standard contraindications for MRI;
• • have non-musculoskeletal PSSP such as only central pain or chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• • any condition that will preclude the patient from completing the protocol as determined by the PI.