Effect of shock wave therapy on ankle plantar flexors spasticity in stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Large number of patients with first-ever stroke developed spasticity. Spasticity can reduce the range of motion, hinder voluntary movements, provoke pain, and result in impairment of functional activities of daily living.


OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate the effect of shock wave therapy on ankle plantar flexors spasticity in stroke patients.


METHODS
We included forty ischemic stroke patients divided into 2 groups; group I were subjected to the selected physical therapy program and shock wave therapy whereas group II received the selected physical therapy program as well as placebo shock wave for six weeks. Both groups were subjected to pre- and post-treatment assessment by H/M ratio, dorsiflexion active range of motion, and time of ten-meters walking.


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the grades of spasticity. Whereas After treatment, there were a highly significant difference between both groups regarding the grades of spasticity according to the 3 parameters, H/M ratio, dorsiflexion active range of motion, and time of ten-meters walking test (P values; <0.001, 0.006, and 0.009 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Shock wave therapy is effective in controlling spasticity, increase dorsiflexion active range of motion of ankle and improving ten- meters walking test in stroke patients.
Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Salah
S
Sawan
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Foad
F
Abd-Allah
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Montasser M
MM
Hegazy
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohammad A
MA
Farrag
Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Nancy Hosney Sharf
NH
El-Den
D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013016:Sound; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
H/M ratio; Stroke; extra corporeal shock wave therapy; spasticity