The Effect of Static Magnet Therapy on Pain-Free Shoulder Passive Range of Motion in Patients with Shoulder Subluxation after Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

One of the stroke complications is hemiplegia, which can cause subluxation of the shoulder joint and reduce the passive range of motion of the affected shoulder, resulting in limited movement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of static magnet therapy on pain-free shoulder passive range of motion in patients with shoulder subluxation after stroke.

This clinical trial study was performed on 36 patients with stroke (18 in the intervention group and 18 in the control group) referred to Tabassum Stroke Rehabilitation Center in Tehran in 2016. Neodymium magnetic shoulder support with an intensity of 1500 gauss was used in the intervention group, and non-magnetic shoulder support was used for the control group. A goniometer measured Pain-free passive range of motion (abduction) of the (shoulder with subluxation) under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. The significance level was considered 0.05.

After magnet therapy, the mean score of range of motion in the intervention group increased significantly (0.023). Post-test comparison between the intervention and control groups showed that the mean score of range of motion was higher in the intervention group, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Magnet therapy as a complementary, low-cost, and safe treatment with an increasing range of motion without shoulder pain can help improve individual activities and prevent complications. Further studies on the effectiveness of magnet therapy in improving the range of motion are recommended.