title: Feedback-controlled and programmed stretching of the ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors in stroke: effects of a 4-week intervention program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of repeated feedback-controlled and programmed "intelligent" stretching of the ankle plantar- and dorsiflexors to treat subjects with ankle spasticity and/or contracture in stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Noncontrolled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with spasticity and/or contracture after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stretching of the plantar- and dorsiflexors of the ankle 3 times a week for 45 minutes during a 4-week period by using a feedback-controlled and programmed stretching device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Passive and active range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, joint stiffness, joint viscous damping, reflex excitability, comfortable walking speed, and subjective experiences of the subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were found in the passive ROM, maximum voluntary contraction, ankle stiffness, and comfortable walking speed. The visual analog scales indicated very positive subjective evaluation in terms of the comfort of stretching and the effect on their involved ankle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated feedback-controlled or intelligent stretching had a positive influence on the joint properties of the ankle with spasticity and/or contracture after stroke. The stretching device may be an effective and safe alternative to manual passive motion treatment by a therapist and has potential to be used to repeatedly and regularly stretch the ankle of subjects with spasticity and/or contracture without daily involvement of clinicians or physical therapists.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Ruud W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Selles
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Sun G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Elliot J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Li-Qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003286:Contracture / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome