Does extracorporeal shock wave therapy decrease spasticity of ankle plantar flexor muscles in patients with stroke: A...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biophysics

Background:

• Stroke survivors often experience lower limb spasticity, particularly affecting ankle flexors.
• Ankle spasticity can impair mobility and increase the risk of complications.
• Conventional rehabilitation may not fully address the underlying muscle tissue changes contributing to spasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in reducing ankle flexor spasticity post-stroke.
• To investigate the impact of rESWT on the fibroelastic properties of plantar flexor muscles.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with stroke patients exhibiting ankle flexor spasticity.
• Participants were assigned to receive rESWT, sham therapy, or conventional rehabilitation alone.
• Spasticity was measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale; muscle elasticity was assessed via elastography.

Main Results:

• rESWT significantly decreased spasticity scores (Modified Ashworth Scale) compared to sham and control groups immediately post-treatment.
• Improvements in spasticity were observed, but the effect on Tardieu Scale scores was not sustained at follow-up.
• While all groups showed improved muscle elasticity, elastography revealed no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions:

• Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy demonstrates short-term efficacy in alleviating ankle flexor spasticity in stroke patients.
• rESWT can be a valuable adjunct to conventional rehabilitation programs for managing post-stroke spasticity.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and mechanisms of rESWT on muscle tissue properties.