High-Intensity Laser Therapy in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain

Kutahya Health Sciences University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Hemiplegia and/or Hemiparesis Following Stroke

Treatments: Other: Exercise therapy; Device: Sham Laser Therapy; Device: High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07501416

CagatayTez

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) combined with exercise on pain, functional status, disability, and ultrasonographic findings in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain following stroke.

Full description

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is a common complication after stroke that significantly affects functional recovery and quality of life. High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects.

Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups:

HILT + exercise therapy Sham HILT + exercise therapy

The treatment protocol will consist of 20 sessions over 4 weeks (5 sessions per week).

Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline and at the end of week 4 by blinded assessors.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 30-75 years
• Hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke
• Stroke within last 6 months
• VAS ≥ 3 for pain
• Medically stable

Exclusion criteria

• Neurological disorders (MS, Parkinson, etc.)
• Recent shoulder surgery/injection
• Botulinum toxin (last 6 months)
• Malignancy
• Pregnancy
• Epilepsy or photosensitivity
• Cognitive impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

High-Intensity Laser Therapy + Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive high-intensity laser therapy combined with a structured exercise program.

Treatment:

Device: High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Other: Exercise therapy

Sham Laser Therapy + Exercise

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive sham laser therapy combined with the same exercise program.

Treatment:

Device: Sham Laser Therapy

Other: Exercise therapy