Limitation of motion and shoulder disabilities in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

The aim of this study is to investigate the presence oflimitations in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) or theloss of upper extremity function on the affected side inpatients with cardiac implantable electronic devices(CIEDs) with respect to the implantation time. Forty-ninepatients (30 men and 19 women), mean age64.84±11.18 years, who had been living with a CIED forless than3 months wereincluded in theshort-term recipient(STR) group and 127 patients (85 men and 42 women),meanage 64.91±14.70years, and with the device for longerthan 3 months were included in the long-term recipientsgroup. Shoulder ROMs were measured using a digitalgoniometer. The other arm was used as the control. TheConstant–Murler Score, Shoulder Pain Disability Index, andShoulder Disability Questionnaire were used to assess thefunctional status. Limitations of ROM for flexion, abduction,and internal rotation were found to be significantly lower inthe arm on the side of CIED compared with the control arm.Significant differences in shoulder flexion, abduction, andexternal rotation in STRs were found compared with long-term recipient (P<0.05). However, the functionalcomparison of groups by the Constant–Murler Score wasnot significant. A low to moderate amount of shoulderdisability measured by Shoulder Pain Disability Index andShoulder Disability Questionnaire was found in patientswith CIEDs, which was more prominent in STRs (P<0.05).Pain, association of CIED with pectoral muscles, a possiblesubtle ongoing capsular pathology, and avoidancebehaviors of patients to minimize the risk of leaddislodgement might be related to restriction of motion andfunction in the shoulder joint in patientswith CIEDs. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research00:000–000 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.All rights reserved.