Massage Therapy for Ankle Mobility and Spasticity in an Adult with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of permanent neurologic disorders associated with injury to the brain during its development. The most common type of CP is spastic CP. Individuals with spastic CP commonly present with increased deep tendon reflexes, tremors, muscular hypertonicity, and weakness. Treatment aims to manage primary and secondary symptoms of CP and improve quality of life. Massage therapy has been shown to improve function and decrease spasticity in individuals with CP.

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy in increasing ankle mobility and decreasing spasticity in an adult with spastic CP.

A student massage therapist at MacEwan University administered five massage therapy treatments over 6 weeks on a 55-year-old female with spastic diplegic CP who presented with no active ankle movement and her ankles rigid in plantarflexion. The treatment goals were to obtain some ankle mobility and decrease spasticity in the knee extensors, which negatively impacted her ability to don socks and shoes. Progress was monitored using goniometry pre- and post-treatment to assess ankle mobility, and by administering the Modified Ashworth Scale prior to the third, fourth, fifth, and final sessions to assess spasticity. Techniques included static contact, effleurage, broad compressions, petrissage, muscle stripping, Golgi tendon organ release, muscle approximation, joint mobilizations, and passive range of motion.

Ankle mobility increased, and slight active ankle dorsiflexion and plan-tarflexion were possible. Spasticity in the knee extensors decreased, but the change was not clinically significant.

The results of this study suggest that massage therapy may improve ankle mobility and decrease spasticity in an adult with spastic CP.