The study was designed as prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with HSP accompanied by PTRCT (n=44) were randomly assigned to HILT and control groups. Group 1 (HILT group, n=22) received 3 sessions of HILT per week for 3 weeks in addition to the exercise program which performed 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Group 2 (Control group, n=22) received an exercise program for HSP of 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks.~Participants were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), passive Range of Motion (ROM), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and ultrasonographic PTRCT size.
High intensity laser therapy (HILT) has been considered as a treatment option for shoulder pain. To our knowledge, the effectiveness of HILT in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) with partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) is unknown. In this study, we intended to investigate the effectiveness of HILT on pain, disability, function and quality of life in patients with HSP accompanied by PTRCT.