Objective: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between the lateral scapular slide test (LSST) and shoulder subluxation, scapular position, pain on movement, Brunnstrom stage in hemiplegic patients.

Method: 20 hemiplegic patients (right: 10, left: 10) were evaluated LSST in resting position at three different points (T2-Superior Angle, T3-Scapular Spine, T7-Inferior Angle) in three times of the both shoulder. Muscle power of shoulder, Brunnstrom stages, spasticity, subluxation degrees using X-ray studies and ROM pain degrees using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were also evaluated to examine the clinical correlation.

Results: This study showed the evidence of positive correlation with LSST and shoulder subluxation, ROM pain degrees using VAS at T7-inferior angle (p＜0.05), and negative correlations with LSST with shoulder abduction muscle power and Brunnstrom stage. But, there were no correlations with shoulder spasticity and hemiplegic side.

Conclusion: This study provided LSST can be a useful predictor of shoulder subluxation and it supposed that the glenoid fossa on the affected side was upward rotated compared to the unaffected side. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 819-823)