Abstract
Does electrical stimulation in addition to passive stretching reduce spasticity and contracture more than passive stretching alone in children with cerebral palsy? Randomised within-participant controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. Eleven (one dropout) children with cerebral palsy and bilateral knee flexor spasticity aged 13 years (SD 1). One leg in each participant received the experimental intervention for four weeks which consisted of 30 min of electrical stimulation of the quadriceps 3 times per week and passive stretching of the hamstrings 5 times per week. The other leg received the control intervention for four weeks which consisted of passive stretching of the hamstrings 5 times per week. Spasticity of the hamstrings was measured using the modified Ashworth scale. Contracture was measured as maximum passive knee extension using goniometry. The mean difference in decrease in the modified Ashworth score due to the addition of electrical stimulation to the stretching regimen was 0.8 points (95% CI 0.1 to 1.5). The mean difference in increase in passive knee extension due to the addition of electrical stimulation to the stretching regimen was 4 degrees (95% CI 0 to 7). Electrical stimulation combined with passive stretching is marginally more effective than passive stretching alone for spastic limbs of children with cerebral palsy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
