Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

According to IICP in India there are approximately 33 thousand people who are suffering from CP & spastic CP is the most commonly found. Child suffers from several musculoskeletal problems like spasticity, contractures which are leading to deformity. Spasticity is hallmark of CP which is caused by damage or injury to the part of the central nervous system. If spasticity remains untreated it will lead to foot & ankle deformities. Passive stretching is widely used for treating the individuals with spasticity. It is believed that soft tissues contracture or tightness can be corrected by applying stretch which will lengthen the soft tissue.

The purpose of the study was to find out immediate effect of sustained stretching on planter flexors spasticity in children with CP. Spasticity causes difficulty in performing motor functions in daily activities. Ankle & foot deformity which are mainly caused by planter flexors spasticity & tightness which indirectly affects gait paern. Recent studies have shown that spasticity contributes to impairment of function and to limitation of activity. Thus, treatment of spasticity is required. Applying sustain stretching on planter flexors it can improve ankle ROM & which cause the less difficulty in gait training & rehabilitation programme.

There was significant difference in pre & post test P-ROM (P value 0.0001 with mean difference of 3.400) less difference in MAS (P value 0.0001 with mean difference of-0.5667) & minimal difference in GMFM score (P value 0.0001 with mean difference of 0.01000)

This study concluded that there was not much significant change in spasticity pre & post test on MAS but there is marked decrease in tightness & improvement in passive ROM. There was also very less change in functional outcome measure interpreted by Pre & post test GMFM score.