Hemiplegic
shoulder pain is the most common
pain condition after
stroke. Suprascapular
nerve block is an effective treatment for
shoulder pain. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of suprascapular
nerve block on
pain intensity, spasticity, shoulder passive range of motion, and quality of life in long-term chronic
stroke patients with hemiplegic
shoulder pain. Ten chronic
stroke patients (over 2 years from onset) with hemiplegic
shoulder pain graded ≥30 mm on the Visual Analogue Scale underwent suprascapular
nerve block injection with 1 mL of 40 mg/mL
methylprednisolone and 10 mL 0.5%
bupivacaine hydrochloride. Main outcome was the Visual Analogue Scale evaluated before and after
nerve block at 1 h, 1 week, and 1 month. Secondary outcomes were the modified Ashworth scale and the shoulder elevation, abduction, and external rotation passive range of motion evaluated before the
nerve block and after 1 h as well as the American
Chronic Pain Association Quality of Life Scale evaluated before and after
nerve block at 1 month. The Visual Analogue Scale significantly improved after
nerve block at 1 h (P = 0.005) and 1 week (P = 0.011). Significant improvements were found at 1 h after
nerve block in the modified Ashworth scale (P = 0.014) and the passive range of motion of shoulder abduction (P = 0.026), flexion (P = 0.007), and external rotation (P = 0.017). The American
Chronic Pain Association Quality of Life Scale significantly improved at 1 month after
nerve block (P = 0.046). Our findings support the use of suprascapular
nerve block for treating hemiplegic
shoulder pain in long-term chronic
stroke patients.