Do you have shoulder dysfunction and/or pain as a result of your stroke, or know someone who does?
Studies estimate that 50% of stroke survivors experience proprioceptive impairments in their upper limbs. These may include limited range of motion, muscle weakness, joint instability, and pain, all of which can severely affect independence and quality of life and are interlinked with motor, sensory, and musculoskeletal changes.
Shoulder dysfunction and pain are among the most common and disabling consequences of stroke. Everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, or reaching for an object become difficult or even impossible. Balance and coordination problems are also prevalent and deeply interconnected with shoulder dysfunction. People recovering from stroke often experience fatigue, weakness, and joint stiffness that make conventional rehabilitation programs difficult to access or sustain.
Shoulder pain
If you have hemiplegia in your arm from your stroke, there is a good chance that you may also suffer from shoulder pain. Shoulder pain can disrupt your daily activities and make it difficult to sleep. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that allows motion in any direction. Because it’s so mobile, it’s also vulnerable to injury.
Some people have shoulder pain as early as two weeks after their stroke, but it’s more common for it to start about two to three months later. The evidence indicates that 80% of patients with post-stroke shoulder pain have resolution within 6 months. Shoulder pain can have consequences on not only the use of your arm and hand, but also other aspects of your rehabilitation, such as transferring from a bed to chair or maintaining balance.
There are many things that can cause shoulder pain including (but not limited to) poor arm function, spasticity, subluxation, bursitis, and tendonitis. Bursitis is a shoulder disorder that occurs when the bursa sac (the padding between the bones and tendons in the shoulder) becomes inflamed. In some cases, bursitis can lead to ‘frozen shoulder’; a condition that causes it to lock up, significantly affecting how much you can use it. You may be given a sling in hospital to try and reduce shoulder pain, but currently there is no clear evidence that sustained sling usage significantly corrects shoulder pain.
Shoulder subluxation
Shoulder subluxation is a partial (minor) dislocation of the arm at the shoulder joint that often occurs after a stroke. In most cases, extreme muscle weakness can result in the muscles not being able to hold the weight of the arm at the shoulder, resulting in the humerus (upper arm bone) dropping down out of the shoulder joint. It can also cause the shoulder blade to lose its normal position. Muscles affected by spasticity around the shoulder joint can also pull the humerus and shoulder blade into abnormal positions.
If your arm is affected by subluxation, your physiotherapists will let you know, and you may well be able to see the difference in level between your more-affected and less-affected shoulder in the mirror. It’s important to protect your shoulder from injury and try to keep your more-affected arm in as normal a position as you can manage.
When resting, your more-affected arm can be kept in a comfortable position which prevents or lessens subluxation. Make sure no-one lifts you from a seated or lying position underneath your arms. This can cause damage. Instead, try learning with a therapist, as soon as you can, how to get yourself from both a seated to standing position and from the floor to standing without involving your more-affected arm much.
There is evidence that starting with a sling suspension system and conducting active shoulder exercises may be effective in reducing shoulder subluxation, improving proprioception and upper extremity function. However, after discharge, survivors often retain slings for lengthy periods in the community simply because they have no clear guidance concerning whether it’s possible to reduce (or stop) using one altogether. And if so, when to do it. Please understand that a sling won’t help you in the long run and may well hold back your recovery.
Understandably, improvement of post-stroke shoulder subluxation is shown to improve performance of task-specific, functional activities. So, you must seek the advice of a therapist or your GP concerning how and when to reduce sling usage. Careful retraining without one is the probably the only way, combined with exercises such as those listed below, that you’re going to fully correct shoulder subluxation.
Range-of-motion exercises for the shoulder joint should include flexion-extension, abduction-adduction and external-internal rotation. Careful weight-bearing exercises for the affected upper extremity can be very beneficial for you but pulling motions, like rowing, must be avoided. Training with a linear shoulder robot can improve shoulder stability, motor power, and result in improved and retained functional outcomes. Electrical stimulation is also shown to be consistently effective at reducing subluxation…
But what if therapy didn’t have to feel like therapy? An invitation extended to you if/as appropriate for you!
A New Way to Move: Non-immersive Virtual Reality Rehab from Home
A collaborative team from University of Exeter and University of Leeds is exploring a novel solution: using a web-based game that can be accessed from any device with a camera to help improve shoulder movement, balance, fatigue, and pain in chronic stroke survivors.
The study is part of the eMBraCE activity programme, which aims to see whether digital, game-based exercises can help chronic stroke survivors regain shoulder movement and improve their balance while reducing pain and fatigue.
The idea is simple but powerful: deliver fun, engaging therapeutic activities through a game, allowing users to do short bursts of guided movement in the comfort of their home. No special equipment is needed — just a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a webcam.
This study is proof of concept that aims to see whether even short-term use of such a game can make a measurable difference. And now, they are inviting participants to get involved too.
One of the things they will measure is electromyography (EMG) signals from the skin surface. This will tell them about electrical activity produced when muscles contract. They plan to use this to assess how the nervous system is adapting to control movement in different pain conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this study?
This study is part of the eMBraCE activity programme. It aims to see whether digital, game-based exercises can help chronic stroke survivors regain shoulder movement and improve their balance while reducing pain and fatigue.
Who can take part?
You are eligible if:
- You’re aged 18 or over
- You are a stroke survivor, living with long-term effects
- You can walk independently, with or without a walking aid
What will I be asked to do?
You’ll attend a session at the VSimulators facility in Exeter or University of Leeds. The session takes about 2 hours, including preparation and testing.
During the session they will ask you to:
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- Wear some small boxes or wired sensors that measure your muscle activity
- Perform basic movements like standing, walking, turning, and lifting
- Use a web-based game designed to help guide shoulder and balance exercises
- Fill out questionnaires about your experience and symptoms
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Are there any risks or discomforts?
Risks are minimal. You may feel some fatigue or mild discomfort during the exercises, similar to any physical therapy session. The team will be with you throughout to ensure your safety and comfort.
Will I be paid for taking part?
There is no payment, but the team offers up to £50 reimbursement for your time and travel costs.
How is my personal information handled?
Your data will be pseudonymised (de-identified) and stored securely. You can choose whether or not any images or videos taken during the session can be used in publications or presentations. Opting out will not affect your participation.
Can I withdraw from the study?
Yes. You may withdraw at any time, even during the session, and can request your data be deleted if you wish.
If you are interested in taking part or would like to have some more information feel free to contact study researcher Tom Richards: t.richards2@exeter.ac.uk
Dukelow, S. P., Herter, T. M., Moore, K. D., Demers, M. J., Glasgow, J. I., Bagg, S. D., Norman, K. E., & Scott, S. H. (2010). Quantitative Assessment of Limb Position Sense Following Stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 24(2), 178–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968309345267
