Post-stroke spasticity in the lower extremity affects balance and gait, leading to decreased mobility and functional independence. Therefore, effective intervention for reducing spasticity is crucial in stroke rehabilitation. Recently, neurodynamics, though originally designed for pain management in orthopedic patients, has also been applied for treating spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. However, previous studies focused mainly on treating the upper extremity spasticity, but not on lower extremity spasticity, and not on possible neurophysiological changes. The present study aims to investigate the immediate effects of neurodynamics in reducing lower limb spasticity and neurophysiological changes in people with chronic stroke.
Sample size calculation: There was no reference for the effect size of neurodymanics on reducing lower extremity spasticity, and the effect size of neurodynamics treatment for improving knee range of motion was between 0.89 to 2.55. We set the effect size of 0.6 (moderate effect size) with an alpha level of 5%, power at 80%, and a paired t-test model to calculate the sample size. Statistical analysis: Paired t-test will be used for within condition (experimental or control condition) comparisons. The change values between pre and post in each condition will be calculated and compared by paired t-test for between condition comparisons. The significance is set at p\< 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
15
The patient will lie supine with the trunk and neck in neutral position. During the first stage, participants will receive passive straight leg raise of the affected side held for 20 seconds for 3 repetitions. In the second stage, hip adduction and internal rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle eversion are added in the straight leg raise position. Slow oscillations of the ankle movement for 1 minute will be applied, followed by holding the position for 20 seconds, for 3 repetitions. In the third stage, the head of the patient will be held in flexion with pillows while the same oscillation procedure as the second stage is performed. There will be a 2-minute rest between the stages.
Lying in supine position for about 13 minutes.
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei, Taiwan
Change in Spasticity: Clinical measurement
The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) will be used, which is a 6-point scale commonly used to assess muscle spasticity in clinical settings.
Time frame: Before intervention and immediately after intervention
Change in Spasticity: Neurophysiological measurement
The H-reflex will be recorded by placing a disposable surface electrode on the muscle belly of the gastrocnemius after a stimulation of the tibial nerve just proximal to the electrode.
Time frame: Before intervention and immediately after intervention
Change in Gait Performance
Gait performance will be measured by using the GAITRite system (CIR system, Inc., Havertown, Pennsylvania). Participants will be instructed to walk along the walkway at their comfortable speed. Gait velocity, cadence, and step length of the affected and unaffected limbs, and spatial and temporal asymmetry ratios are calculated.
Time frame: Before intervention and immediately after intervention
Change in Lower Extremity Motor Control
Motor control of the lower extremity will be assessed by the motor section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Higher scores represent better motor control, with a total score of 34.
Time frame: Before intervention and immediately after intervention
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