A Comparitive Study on the efficacy of Cryostretches Versus Hold- Relax on Plantar Flexors Spasticity in the Subjects with Stroke

To evaluate the efficacy of cryostretches versus hold-relax on plantar flexors spasticity in the subjects with stroke.

To evaluate the efficacy of cryostretches on plantar flexors spasticity in the subjects with stroke.

To evaluate the efficacy of hold-relax on plantar flexors spasticity in the subjects with stroke.

To compare the efficacy of cryostretches and hold-relax on plantar flexors spasticity in the subjects with stroke.

30 hemiplegic patients were divided into two groups, Group-1 received cryostretches (n=15). It contains 20 min of cooling, followed by 5-6 repetitions of 65 sec stretches are applied with a 20 sec rest between the stretches with three 5 sec isometric contractions interspersed through out the stretch, and Group II with hold- relax (n=15), in this the plantar flexors was made to contract isometrically for 6-8 sec, followed by immediate relaxation during which the muscle was taken into new lengthened position (dorsiflexion) which was held for 10 sec; it was repeated 5-6 times with a rest period of 20 sec between each stretch, for a period of 6 days in a week for 6 weeks.

Paired T- test and Unpaired T-test has been carried out to observe the treatment impact with in the groups and between the groups before and after the treatment.

After a 6 week treatment period, the subjects in the Group I (cryostretches) compared with the subjects in the Group II (Hold-relax) had shown a statistically significant improvement with the out come measures at 0.05 level.

Cryostretches was found much effective in reducing spasticity which helps to enhance and upgrade functional outcome of the patients.