Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
Published on: June 12, 2019
Alterations in proximal shoulder muscles in stroke-related pain: a myotonometric study
Tuba Maden1, Hakan Polat2, Mehmet Ali Guner3
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Background:
Post-stroke shoulder pain is one of the most common complications.
Aim:
We aimed to investigate the shoulder pain-related myotonometric changes of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles and emphasize the differences in viscoelastic parameters according to pain severity in subacute stroke patients.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 45 subacute stroke patients were allocated into the painless group (CG, n = 15), mild shoulder pain group (MiPG, n =16), and moderate shoulder pain group (MoPG, n = 14) using the Visual Analog Scale. The muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of BB and TB muscles were evaluated with the MyotonPro® (Myoton AS, Estonia).
Results:
Tone was similar on both sides in all groups (p > 0.05), except for the triceps in the painless group. The tone of TB muscle was higher on the affected side in the CG (p = 0.041). BB and TB tones were lower in the pain groups compared to CG (p < 0.05). BB stiffness was higher on the unaffected side in MiPG and CG (p = 0.016 and p = 0.041). BB stiffness was also higher in the CG compared to patients with shoulder pain on both sides (p = 0.001, p = 0.044). TB stiffness was similar across all groups (p > 0.05). TB elasticity was higher on the unaffected side in MiPG and CG (p = 0.023, p = 0.010), while BB and TB elasticity did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The differences between affected and unaffected extremities in stroke patients may result from adaptations in the non-paretic limb or abnormal scapular rhythm. In contrast to common knowledge, in this study, tone and stiffness decreased as pain increased. Additionally, changes in muscle elasticity may not have occurred in stroke patients during subacute phase. CTN: NCT05920837.
