Authors:
Nur Sulastri
;
Sri Mardjiati Mei Wulan
and
Noor Idha Handajani
Affiliation:
Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
Keyword(s):
Cerebral palsy, radial shock wave therapy, ultrasound diathermy, range of motion, spasticity
Abstract:
Range of motion (ROM) limitation is one of the main complications caused by spasticity, and one of the main purposes of the management of spasticity is to maintain and increase the ROM. Radial shock wave therapy and ultrasound diathermy are physical modalities that can increase joint ROM. The objective of this study is to compare the immediate effect of radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) and ultrasound diathermy (USD) on ankle range of motion in cerebral palsy patients with plantar flexor spasticity. This was a randomized trial study. A total of 12 children with cerebral palsy (6-11 years old), with spastic diplegia and quadriplegia type, and median Modified Asworth Scale of 3 were divided into 2 groups: RSWT and USD group. Radial shock wave therapy at 1.5 bar, 5 Hz, 1500 shots, or USD 3 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2, 5 minutes duration, was applied on plantar flexor muscles. Ankle range of motion and plantar flexor spasticity using the Modified Asworth Scale were measured before treatment (baseline)
, immediately after, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after therapy. After RSWT and USD, a statistically significant increase in ankle ROM was observed (p<0.05), but there was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). The measurement of MAS showed no significant improvement within groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, both RSWT and USD are effective in increasing ankle ROM in CP children with plantar flexor spasticity.
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