Article

This study aimed to investigate the role of muscle pain in post-stroke
pain syndromes. DESIGN: This cross-sectional-designed study enrolled 145 stroke
patients at three different stroke duration periods (</=3 mos, 3 mos to 1 yr, and
>1 yr) receiving inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs in a regional
teaching hospital. Three common muscle tender points (two at the upper trapezius
and one at the brachioradialis) and two relative periosteum points of the healthy
and hemiparetic sides were identified for evaluation. Spontaneous pain intensity
measured with the verbally reported numerical rating scale and pressure pain
threshold were assessed. Associations between variables were analyzed. RESULTS:
Among 145 subjects, 56 were women, and the mean +/- SD age was 62.1 +/- 13.2 yrs.
The patients with stroke duration within 3 mos had the highest spontaneous muscle
pain intensity and were most sensitive to pressure pain, with a prevalence of
48.3% of moderate to severe pain intensity (verbally reported numerical rating
scale, 4-10) in the hemiparetic side. Spontaneous pain was more severe in the
hemiparetic side than in the healthy side, but there were no obvious differences
between the sides in the pressure pain threshold of the muscle or the periosteum.
CONCLUSIONS: In stroke patients, spontaneous muscle pain in the hemiparetic side
is a common finding. Bilaterally symmetric changes of pressure pain threshold are
probably caused by central sensitization mechanisms.

Langue : ANGLAIS