A Comparative Study of Prolonged Muscle Stretch and Static Cycling on Step Length, Ankle Joint Range of Motion and Spasticity in Post Stroke Hemiparetic Patients

The control of spasticity is often a significant problem in the management of patient with spasticity. Cyclic stretching and prolonged muscle stretch has been used for the rehabilitation of some orthopedic impairments; however, few researchers have considered its application in management of neurological disorders such as stroke. The purpose of this study was to examine the long term effects of prolonged muscle stretch and static cycling on step length, ankle joint range of motion and spasticity in post stroke hemiparetic patients.

Ten hemiparetic subjects, aged 45–70 years (Mean55.7), both males and females were included in the study. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups (groupA and group B). All subjects were assessed for step length, active joint range of motion and spasticity of ankle plantar flexors. To group A, a 20 minutes of prolonged muscle Stretch with tilt table was given along with conventional physiotherapy program and to group B, a 20 minutes of static cycling was given along with conventional physiotherapy program. Total duration of treatment was of 5 days. Subjects were reassessed after 5 days and 24 hours after 5th day assessment.

After using ANOVA and Unpaired t-test, results shows significant changes in spasticity (Mean1 + SD=2 + 0.00, Mean2 + SD=1.40 + 0.55). Both groups (Prolonged Muscle Stretch and Static Cycling) are equally effective for all dependent variables except spasticity in group B that is Static Cycling.