title: Effectiveness of neuromuscular stretching with symmetrical biphasic electric currents in the cavus foot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pes cavus is a structural deformity in which the increased plantar arch can lead to greater metatarsal verticality with the consequent excess of pressure under the forefoot zone (especially the metatarsal zone), causing pain and significant loss of functional capacity. We sought to determine whether neuromuscular stretching with symmetrical rectangular biphasic currents can reduce the pressure supported by this zone.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, nonrandomized, longitudinal, analytical, and experimental controlled trial included 34 patients with pes cavus. Pedobarometric measurements were made using the footscan USB Gait Clinical System platform considering the toes and metatarsal heads, forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot before and after performing stretching using a Med Tens 931 electrotherapy device. The measurements were repeated 7 days after the application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the Student t test for paired samples, we showed that there was a significant decline in metatarsal pressure (P < .001) in the zones of the first (P = .045) and third (P = .01) metatarsals and that this reduction was maintained 1 week after the plantar stretching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plantar stretching with symmetrical rectangular biphasic currents is effective for the prevention and treatment of pes cavus metatarsalgia caused by excessive pressure.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. lfdez@us.es
authors.forename: Lourdes María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fernández-Seguín
authors.forename: Pedro V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Munuera
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peña-Algaba
authors.forename: Javier Ramos
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Díaz-Morales
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Escamilla-Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult