Electrical interferential current stimulation versus electrical acupuncture in management of hemiplegic shoulder pain and disability following ischemic stroke-a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) is among common complications occurring after stroke leading to disability. This study was conducted to compare the effects of electrical Interferential Current stimulation (IFC) and Electrical Acupuncture (EAC) on pain intensity, range of motion, and functional ability in patients with HSP and also comparing the two modalities regarding improvement of above indices. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 46 patients with HSP caused by ischemic stroke were recruited and assigned into 2 groups. Conventional exercise trainings were applied for both groups. Group A received additional IFC with medium frequency of 4000 HZ, and Group B received additional EAC two times a week for a total of 10 sessions. Pain severity, daily function, and shoulder Range of Motion (ROM) were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and goniometry, respectively before and 5 weeks after the treatment. Results: Both groups showed relative improvement in pain severity, SPADI score, and its subscales, and also active and passive shoulder ROM after the treatment. However, IFC group compared to EAC group had higher mean changes of active ROM in abduction (28.00 ± 3.81 vs. 12.25 ± 2.39) and functional subscale of SPADI (11.45 ± 1.88 vs. 5.80 ± 1.66) after the treatment. On the contrary, EAC group showed higher percentage of VAS changes (46.14 ± 6.88 vs. 34.28 ± 5.52), indicating better pain improvement compared to IFC group. Other parameters did not show significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Both IFC and EAC caused short term improvement in functional state, increased motion, and decreased pain in patients with HSP. Although pain control was more evident in acupuncture group, IFC resulted in better effects on function and active ROM of abduction, and seems to have higher efficacy. Trial registration: This clinical trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials at 2016-07-16 with a registry number of IRCT201602153217N10.

Effect of premodulated interferential current versus diadynamic current on the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy

“…In addition, combining IFT with manual therapy and exercises gets better results in decreasing pain, improving function, and increasing pain-free range of motion compared to instructions alone in patients with acromioplasty [31]. Furthermore, Eslamian et al [26] reported that both IFT and electrical acupuncture improved short-term functional status, enhanced motion, and reduced pain in hemiplegic patients. Although acupuncture had greater pain control, IFT was more effective in increasing function and active range of motion.…”

Efficacy of acupuncture versus rehabilitation therapy on post-stroke shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…[46] And there was substantial evidence to support the validity and reliability of the NRS, FPS-R, and McGi pain questionnaire as a measure of pain intensity. [47,48] Secondary outcomes were upper limb motor function assessed by Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for upper limb (FMA-U), [49] ADL assessed by Barthel index (BI) [50] or modified Barthel index (MBI), [51] and adverse events (AEs). The total score of FMA-U is 66 points, the higher the total score, the upper limb motor function is better.…”

Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on the Recovery of Limb Function in Stroke Patients

“…Record the patient's heart rate and tolerance time before and after exercise test termination. 5 Laboratory examination: Before and after treatment, the patient will take venous blood to check fasting blood glucose, blood insulin, blood lipids, blood cholesterol, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)2h blood glucose and insulin, and follow the formula [HOMA-IR=fasting blood glucose×fasting insulin÷ 22.5] Calculate the homeostatic model insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). The higher the value, the lower the insulin sensitivity.…”