J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2006 Oct;30(5):430-435.

Effects of Short Stretch Bandage and Electrical Stimulation Therapy for the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Hemiplegic Patients

• Lee KW
• Kim SB
• Yoon K
• Kwak H
• Lee JH
• Ryoo KH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of short stretch bandage and electrical stimulation therapy (EST) for the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in hemiplegic patients METHOD: 10 hemiplegic CRPS patients after stroke or traumatic brain injury were included in the study. We established CRPS from clinical symptoms and triphasic bone scan. Short stretch bandage was applied on affected limb and changed every 24 hours for 2 weeks. EST was tried for 10 minutes twice per day. It was applied at finger and wrist flexor muscles. We measured hand volume of pre-and posttreatment using hand volumeter. Also compared pre-and posttreatment pain-free range of motion (ROM) of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and third proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint circumference.
RESULTS
Mean difference of hand volume between the affected and the unaffected prior to treatment was 20.5+/-4.9 ml (7.9+/-2.3%). After treatment, mean volume change was 15.5+/-4.9 ml (5.5+/-1.8%) (p<0.05). Mean change of pain-free ROM was 8.0+/-4.8 degree (10.9+/-7.1%), mean change of PIP joint circumference was 3.1+/-1.4 mm (5.9+/-2.4%) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Short stretch bandage and EST complex therapy is effective for the reduction of paralyzed hand edema and pain in hemiplegic CRPS patients. However further control study is required.

Keyword

Complex regional pain syndrome; Short stretch bandage; Electrical stimulation therapy

MeSH Terms

Bandages*
Brain Injuries
Edema
Electric Stimulation Therapy*
Electric Stimulation*
Extremities
Fingers
Hand
Humans
Joints
Muscles
Range of Motion, Articular
Stroke
Wrist