The Effect of Passive Stretching on the Spasticity of Ankle Plantar Flexor Muscles.
- Author:
Seong Jae LEE
1
;
Bum Sun KWON
;
Choong Hyun PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Passive stretching;
Ankle plantar flexor;
Spasticity
- MeSH:
Ankle Joint;
Ankle*;
Humans;
Motor Neurons;
Muscle Spasticity*;
Muscle Stretching Exercises*;
Muscles*;
Reflex, Stretch;
Torque
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
2001;25(6):987-992
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of stretching on decreasing spasticity of ankle plantar flexor muscles by biomechanical assessments. METHOD: Twenty two ankle joints of nineteen patients with upper motor neuron lesion were included. The spasticity was assessed both clinically and biomechanically before and after stretching of ankle plantar flexor muscles by tilt table. For clinical assessment modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used. For biomechanical assessment, ankle plantar flexor muscles were stretched isokinetically while EMG signals were recorded simultaneously and peak eccentric torque, stiffness index and stretch reflex threthold speed (SRTS) were measured. RESULTS: Two cases showed improvement in MAS after stretching but the others did not. SRTS of ankle plantar flexor was increased significantly while peak eccentric torque and stiffness index were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Passive stretching of ankle plantar flexor muscles decreased the stretch threshold, that is a neural component of spasticity but it did not decrease the mechanical component of spasticity.
