| Methods |
Parallel group, single centre trial
Exp: strapping + routine management (could include task‐specific re‐education for function, maintenance of ROM, provision of supportive devices for the arm)
Placebo: placebo strapping + routine management
C: routine management |
| Participants |
Inclusion criteria: within 4 weeks of stroke, no history of shoulder pain, score on Item 6 of the Motor Assessment scale of less than 4, score on Ritchie Articular Index of less than 2.
Age (mean): Exp/P/C = 65/62/59 years
Time after stroke (mean): Exp/P/C = 10/10/12 days
Number of participants: Exp/P/C = 9/10/12
Male/Female = 22/10
Right/Left hemiplegia = 20/12
Dropouts: Exp/P/C = 1/0/0 |
| Interventions |
Strapping: one protecting pad and two strapping tapes were used. First the protecting pad was positioned on the medial surface of the upper arm to protect the axilla and allow for application of the tape. The first strapping tape began at the middle of the clavicle, continued across the deltoid muscle in a diagonal direction, along the pad under the arm. Then, a slight stretch was applied in the direction of the posterior fibres of the deltoid with the tape terminating one quarter of the way along the spine of the scapula. The second strapping tape was applied in the same direction as the first, but 2 cms below. Strapping was left on day and night and changed every three or four days. |
| Outcomes |
Pain: number of pain‐free days (< 2 on Ritchie Articular Index: 0 = patient has no tenderness, 1 = patient complains of pain, 2 = patient complains of pain and winces, 3 = patient complains of pain, winces, and withdraws, Bohannon 1986) after admission to study. |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A ‐ Adequate |
