Shoulder taping reduces injury and pain in stroke patients Randomized controlled trial

Objectives: We aimed to study the effectiveness of shoulder taping and conventional treatment vs sham taping and conventional treatment in prevention of shoulder injuries in patients with acute stroke.

Methods: This study was a multicenter, interventional, prospective, randomized, outcome-blinded trial (PROBE design). All first-ever stroke patients were included within 48 hours of stroke onset (August 2009–October 2011). The treatment group included shoulder taping and conventional treatment, and the control group received sham taping and conventional treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in visual analog scale (VAS) and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and secondary outcomes were changes in shoulder range of motion (flexion and abduction) at days 14 and 30. Clinical trials registration no. NCT 01062308.Read more