Multimodal Treatment for Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain

Summary

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) affects up to 60% of moderate to severely impaired stroke survivors. HSP is associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes, including interference with activities of daily living (ADLs) and poor quality of life (QoL). While many treatments for HSP have been proposed, most do not result in long-term relief of pain.

The investigators developed the use of intramuscular peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for the treatment of HSP, which involves the temporary placement of a percutaneous intramuscular electrode to stimulate the axillary nerve motor points to the deltoid muscle. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) concluded that intramuscular PNS was the only treatment to provide long-term relief of pain for those with HSP. However, physical therapy (PT), which focuses on correcting biomechanics, is the most commonly prescribed treatment for HSP and is recommended by multiple practice guidelines. Prior to acceptance by the clinical community, the superiority of PNS to a course of PT must be demonstrated. The investigators completed a pilot RCT comparing PNS to PT and 67% vs. 25% of participants experienced successful pain relief (i.e., ≥ 2-pt or 30% reduction) from PNS and PT, respectively. Thus, the primary objective of this 2-site RCT is to confirm the findings of this preliminary pilot RCT. Combining PNS and PT, which may be how PNS is actually implemented in clinical practice, may have a synergistic therapeutic effect. Thus, the second objective of this RCT is to determine if multimodal treatment of HSP with PNS + PT is more efficacious for pain relief than PNS alone or PT alone. Mechanisms also will be explored.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Shoulder Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

The stimulation system includes an external stimulator, percutaneous lead and pad. The stimulator snaps onto the pad. The pad has an embedded power source but also serves as the anode. The 1-channel stimulator outputs a biphasic current waveform with current pulse parameter ranges suitable for PNS. The percutaneous lead is inserted using an introducer (like a hypodermic needle) which is withdrawn and the lead is retained in the muscle by a barb at its tip. After a 1-week stabilization period, stimulation is initiated (6 hrs/day). The duty cycle and daily dose remain constant, but stimulus parameters may be adjusted by the research staff as deemed appropriate. The treatment period is 3 weeks after which the lead will be removed. Total time of electrode implantation is no more than 29 days.

OTHER

Physical Therapy

Participants will receive 8 60-minute sessions of outpatient therapy over a 4 week period concurrent with PNS or sham-PNS treatment. Therapy may include: Proper Positioning and Handling, Therapeutic positioning and Strengthening Exercises, Mirror Therapy, Task-specific Therapy, Home Exercise Program, and a Mental Practice program.

OTHER

Sham-PT

Participants randomized to sham-PT will receive 8 60-minute sessions with therapists with the goal of controlling for the effect of regular contact with a therapist and study staff in a therapeutic environment. Participants will undergo a hands-on evaluation and re-evaluation before and after treatment. Therapists will provide sham ultrasound therapy and light application of inert gel to the shoulder for 10 minutes, Pre-Gait Training or Gait training, Exercise therapy, and relaxation therapy.

DEVICE

Sham-PNS

The stimulation system includes an external stimulator, percutaneous lead and pad. The stimulator snaps onto the pad. The pad has an embedded power source.The stimulator will appear to function as normal though will not deliver electrical current to the electrode. The subjects will be prescribed 6 hours of sham-stimulation per day for 3 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

  collaborator NIH

• Case Western Reserve University

  collaborator OTHER

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

  collaborator OTHER

• MetroHealth Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Richard D Wilson, MD · MetroHealth Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

89 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-01-31

Primary Completion

2024-09-30

Completion

2024-09-30

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations