J Korean Phys Ther.  2019 Feb;31(1):56-61. 10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.1.56.

Immediate Effect of Sustained Stretching Exercises with Far Infrared on the Ankle Range of Motion and Muscle Tone in Patients with Stroke

• Youn PS
• Park SJ

• KMID: 2442075
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.1.56

Abstract

PURPOSE
The spasticity of stroke patients decreases the ankle range of motion and increases the gastrocnemius muscle tone. This study examined the effects of stretching exercise and far infrared irradiation on the ankle function in stroke patients with spasticity.
METHODS
This study was conducted on 20 stroke patients admitted to Jesaeng General Hospital, who were divided into a study group (stretching exercise with far infrared) and control group (stretching exercise only). The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using a smartphone and the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a Myoton pro.
RESULTS
With the exception of the non-paretic gastrocnemius muscle tone in the control group, the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in both groups. In both groups, the dorsiflexion range of motion increased significantly. In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher dorsiflexion range of motion than the control group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness.
CONCLUSION
For stroke patients with spasticity, stretching exercises increased the ankle's range of motion and decreased the gastrocnemius muscle tone. The addition of heat therapy further increased the ankle's range of motion. On the other hand, as the sample size was small, future studies should include more subjects.

Keyword

Stroke; Stretching exercise; Far infrared; Heat therapy; Muscle tone; Ankle range of motion

MeSH Terms

Ankle*
Exercise*
Hand
Hospitals, General
Hot Temperature
Humans
Muscle Spasticity
Muscle, Skeletal
Range of Motion, Articular*
Sample Size
Smartphone
Stroke*