Musculoskeletal pain after stroke: Prevalence, patterns and distribution among survivors in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the factors that limit movements at a joint and impede functional use of the limb as well as rehabilitation activities after stroke. Objective: This study determined the prevalence, pattern and distribution of musculoskeletal pain among stroke survivors receiving physiotherapy care in Maiduguri. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 94 stroke survivors from the physiotherapy clinics of two randomly selected tertiary hospitals in Maiduguri. In addition to sociodemographic and clinical characteristic information, musculoskeletal pain was assessed with the Box-Numerical Rating Scale. Prevalence, pattern and distribution of musculoskeletal pain were computed with frequency and percentages. Chi-square test was employed to compare the difference in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among participants with various socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: The mean age, post-stroke duration and duration of physiotherapy intervention of the participants were 54.2±12.5 years, 18.27±23.98 months and 13.04±15.09 months, respectively. Majority of the participants experienced musculoskeletal pain within the first 3 months after stroke. The most commonly affected body region was the shoulder (80.7%) followed by the wrists/hand (60.2%) and the least affected body region was the elbow (38.5%). The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 88%. The prevalence was significantly (χ² =4.5, p-value=0.034) higher among males (57.8%) than females (42.2%). Conclusion: The study found high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among stroke patients with males more commonly affected than females, and the shoulder being the most commonly affected joint. Assessing musculoskeletal pain and effective interventions for improving pain should constitute an integral part of a stroke rehabilitation plan.