• Shoulder ranges of motion [ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  Shoulder range of motions were also evaluated as outcome measures. The measurements were done accordingly to the guidelines of American College of Orthopedic Surgeons by a conventional goniometer(20, 21). The researcher who performed the measurements was an experienced in this field, and was blinded to the treatment groups. External and internal rotation, adduction, abduction, flexion and extension of both shoulders were recorded for each group.
• Functional Independence Measure(FIM) [ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  Functional Independence Measure(FIM) is used to evaluate independence for the activities of daily living. It was developed to measure the results of the rehabilitation on the patient, and Turkish version of the tool shown to be valid and reliable in 2001. Having motor and cognitive subscales, the higher scores in FIM are interpreted as better functional independence.

• Shoulder Pain
• Shoulder Impingement
• Hemiplegia, Infantile
• Shoulder Subluxation
• Spasticity, Muscle

• Other: PRP

  A venous blood sample of 8.5 ml were obtained from patients. For the study group, the blood samples were mixed with 1.5 ml ACD-A or sodium citrate to achieve anticoagulation. Resulting material was then centrifugated for 5 minutes with RCF 1200 G speed to clump erythrocytes, and then centrifugated for 10 minutes in same speed to obtain thrombocyte concentrate. 2 ml's of the platelet rich plasma was injected to the shoulder of the subjects. For the sham injection group, same amount of blood was taken and they were given a of waiting time of same duration with the study group, with the resulting preparate being 2 ml's of 0,9% saline instead. PRP solutions were prepared with kits of Easy PRP(Neotec Biotechnology, Istanbul, Turkey).

  Injections were done every two weeks, for a total of 3 times. 21 G injection needles with injection technique of posterior approach were used(18, 19). To provide blindness, all injections were done using injectors coated with non transparent tape.

  Other Name: Platelet rich plasma injections
• Other: Exercise
  All of the patients were also informed about proper positioning and the standard care for the affected extremity. Their process of neurological rehabilitation was not changed, which was 5 days of the week, one session of 45 minutes a day. They were also given a program of standardized ROM exercises, which included passive and active motions.
  Other Name: Rehabilitation

• Experimental: PRP group

  A venous blood sample of 8.5 ml were obtained from patients. For the study group, the blood samples were mixed with 1.5 ml ACD-A or sodium citrate to achieve anticoagulation. Resulting material was then centrifugated for 5 minutes with RCF 1200 G speed to clump erythrocytes, and then centrifugated for 10 minutes in same speed to obtain thrombocyte concentrate. 2 ml's of the platelet rich plasma was injected to the shoulder of the subjects. For the sham injection group, same amount of blood was taken and they were given a of waiting time of same duration with the study group, with the resulting preparate being 2 ml's of 0,9% saline instead. PRP solutions were prepared with kits of Easy PRP(Neotec Biotechnology, Istanbul, Turkey).

  Injections were done every two weeks, for a total of 3 times.

  Interventions:

  • Other: PRP
  • Other: Exercise
• Sham Comparator: Placebo group
  Injections containing saline were done every two weeks, for a total of 3 times. 21 G injection needles with injection technique of posterior approach were used. To provide blindness, all injections were done using injectors coated with non transparent tape. All of the PRP injections were done by the same physician each time, with compliance to preventive measures against complications such as infections. Patients and the physician who applied the injection were blinded to the groups, and the solution was prepared by another researcher who was not blind to the groups.
  Intervention: Other: Exercise

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria were being an adult stroke patient with more than two weeks of shoulder pain and restriction, and not having a history of stroke before the recent incident.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with aphasia, severe cognitive or psychiatric disorders, history of trauma, recent injection (<3 months) or surgery on the affected joint, complex regional pain syndrome, infections, pregnancy, thrombocytopenia(<150000 per microliter) or coagulation disorders or severe spasticity of the affected limb(Modified Ashworth Scale >3) were excluded from the study