J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2001 Dec;25(6):987-992.

The Effect of Passive Stretching on the Spasticity of Ankle Plantar Flexor Muscles

• Lee SJ
• Kwon BS
• Park CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of stretching on decreasing spasticity of ankle plantar flexor muscles by biomechanical assessments. METHOD: Twenty two ankle joints of nineteen patients with upper motor neuron lesion were included. The spasticity was assessed both clinically and biomechanically before and after stretching of ankle plantar flexor muscles by tilt table. For clinical assessment modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used. For biomechanical assessment, ankle plantar flexor muscles were stretched isokinetically while EMG signals were recorded simultaneously and peak eccentric torque, stiffness index and stretch reflex threthold speed (SRTS) were measured.
RESULTS
Two cases showed improvement in MAS after stretching but the others did not. SRTS of ankle plantar flexor was increased significantly while peak eccentric torque and stiffness index were unchanged.
CONCLUSION
Passive stretching of ankle plantar flexor muscles decreased the stretch threshold, that is a neural component of spasticity but it did not decrease the mechanical component of spasticity.

Keyword

Passive stretching; Ankle plantar flexor; Spasticity

MeSH Terms

Ankle Joint
Ankle*
Humans
Motor Neurons
Muscle Spasticity*
Muscle Stretching Exercises*
Muscles*
Reflex, Stretch
Torque