Does electrical stimulation reduce spasticity after stroke? A randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the therapeutic effect of electrical stimulation on plantarflexor spasticity in stroke patients.


METHODS
A randomized controlled clinical trial study.


METHODS
Rehabilitation clinic of Semnan University of Medical Sciences.


METHODS
Forty stroke patients (aged from 42 to 65 years) with ankle plantarflexor spasticity.


METHODS
Fifteen minutes of inhibitory Bobath techniques were applied to one experimental group and a combination of 9 minutes of electrical stimulation on the dorsiflexor muscles and inhibitory Bobath techniques was applied to another group for 20 sessions daily.


METHODS
Passive ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion, dorsiflexion strength test, plantarflexor muscle tone by Modified Ashworth Scale and soleus muscle H-reflex.


RESULTS
The mean change of passive ankle joint dorsiflexion in the combination therapy group was 11.4 (SD 4.79) degrees versus 6.1 (SD 3.09) degrees, which was significantly higher (P = 0.001). The mean change of plantarflexor muscle tonicity measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale in the combination therapy group was -1.6 (SD 0.5) versus -1.1 (SD 0.31) in the Bobath group (P = 0.001). Dorsiflexor muscle strength was also increased significantly (P = 0.04) in the combination therapy group (0.7 +/- 0.37) compared with the Bobath group (0.4 +/- 0.23). However, no significant change in the amplitude of H-reflex was found between combination therapy (-0.41 +/- 0.29) and Bobath (-0.3 +/- 0.28) groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapy combining Bobath inhibitory technique and electrical stimulation may help to reduce spasticity effectively in stroke patients.
Bakhtiary
Amir H
AH
Physiotherapy Department, Rehabilitation Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. amir822@yahoo.com
Fatemy
Elham
E
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome