Article

This study was designed to compare the short-term effects of
infrared (IR) and therapeutic ultrasound (US) on clinical and
electrophysiological measures of spasticity and range of motion (ROM) in
hemiplegic patients with plantar flexor muscle spasticity. RESEARCH DESIGN: A
cross-sectional, single centre trial. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound and Infrared were
used. METHODS : Twenty-one patients (13 males and eight females)
aged 27-78 years (mean +/- SD: 60.4 +/- 13.2) were randomly assigned into either
the US or IR treatment groups. The IR and US were delivered for 20 and 10
minutes, respectively. The H-reflex, Ashworth scale (AS) and ROM were collected
before, immediately after and 15 minutes after the end of the treatment. MAIN
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Both groups were statistically similar on all variables at
the beginning of the study. Results indicated that the dependent variables were
not significantly different between groups at the end of study. The use of IR and
US was not associated with significant reductions of H-reflex and Ashworth
scores. A significant main effect for time on active and passive ROM was
obtained. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded neither IR nor US reduced
electrophysiological or clinical measures of spasticity in this sample of
patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS