Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
Tibetan Medicated Bathing Therapy for Patients With Post-stroke Limb Spasticity: A Randomized Controlled Clinical
Meng Wang1, Shouguo Liu2, Zhihang Peng3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China; The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
Objective:
To determine the short- (4 weeks) and long-term (6 month) effectiveness of Tibetan medicated bathing therapy in patients with post-stroke limb spasticity.
Design:
Prospective, blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Subjects:
Post-stroke patients with limb spasticity were recruited between December 2013 and February 2017 and randomly assigned 1:1 to a control group that received conventional rehabilitation (n = 222) or an experimental group that received Tibetan medicated bathing therapy in combination with conventional rehabilitation (n = 222).
Methods:
All patients received conventional rehabilitation. In addition, the experimental group received Tibetan medicated bathing therapy. The interventions were conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline after 4 weeks of therapy in muscle tone in the spastic muscles (elbow flexors, wrist flexors, finger flexors, knee extensors, ankle plantar flexors), as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
Results:
The mean change from baseline after 4 weeks of therapy in the MAS score for the elbow flexors (P = .017), wrist flexors (P < .001), and ankle plantar flexors (P < .001) was significantly greater in patients in the experimental group compared to the control group. The benefit was maintained for 3 muscle groups (elbow flexors P < .001, wrist flexors P = .001, and ankle plantar flexors P < .001) and 6 months (elbow flexors P < .001, wrist flexors P = .002, and ankle plantar flexors P < .001) after therapy. All adverse events were mild, and no serious adverse reactions to Tibetan medicated bathing therapy were recorded.
Conclusions And Implications:
Tibetan medicated bathing therapy, in combination with conventional rehabilitation, has potential as a safe, effective treatment for the alleviation of post-stroke upper limb spasticity. Tibetan medicated bathing therapy was most advantageous for patients who had a baseline muscle tone score of 1+ to 2 on the MAS in the affected limb and recent onset of stroke (duration of the disease of 1-3 months).
More Related Videos
08:53Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
07:35Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
Published on: December 29, 2023