Multimodal and Widespread Somatosensory Abnormalities in Persistent Shoulder Pain in the First 6 Months After Stroke: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of multimodal and widespread somatosensory abnormalities in the development of persistent poststroke shoulder pain (pPSSP) in the first 6 months after stroke. DESIGN: Prospective inception cohort study. SETTING: Stroke units of 2 teaching hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The data of a strict selection of patients (N=31) with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The development of pPSSP within the first 6 months after stroke. Bilateral sensation and pain thresholds at 3 (t1) and 6 (t2) months, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) at 3 months after stroke. Clinical examination within 2 weeks after stroke (t0..