title: Effects of Thai Massage on Spasticity in Young People with Cerebral Palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of Thai massage on muscle spasticity in young people with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Young people with spastic diplegia, aged 6-18 years old, were recruitedfrom the Srisungwan School in Khon Kaen Province. Spasticity of right quadriceps femoris muscles was measured using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) at pre- and immediately post 30-minute session of Thai massage. Thai massage was applied on the lower back and lower limbs. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the outcome between pre- and post treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen participants with spastic diplegia aged 13.71 +/- 3.62 years old participated. A significant difference of MAS was observed between pre- and post treatment (1+, 1; p<0.01). No adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thai massage decreased muscle spasticity and is suggested to be an alternative treatmentfor reducing spasticity in young people with cerebral palsy.
authors.forename: Pisamai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malila
authors.forename: Kantarakorn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seeda
authors.forename: Savet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machom
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eungpinithpong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013785:Thailand