Immediate effects of TECAR therapy on gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles with spastic hypertonia in chronic stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The aim of this study was to assess changes in muscle properties after a single session of capacitive and resistive energetic transfer (TECAR) therapy on spastic gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles in chronic post-stroke. Methods: A total of 36 chronic stroke survivors with lower limb h...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: García-Rueda, Laura, Cabanas-Valdés, Rosa, Salgueiro, Carina, Rodríguez-Sanz, Jacobo, Albert, Pérez-Bellmunt, López-de-Celis, Carlos
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:20.500.12328/3875
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12328/3875
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11112973
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Tecarteràpia
Ictus
Espasticitat
Massatge funcional
Funcionalitat
Teràpia de transferència elèctrica capacitiva-resistiva
Tecarterapia
Ataque
Espasticidad
Masaje funcional
Funcionalidad
Terapia de transferencia eléctrica capacitiva-resistiva
Tecar therapy
Stroke
Spasticity
Functional masaje
Functionality
Capacitive– resistive electric transfer therapy
61
616.7
Descripción
Sumario:Background: The aim of this study was to assess changes in muscle properties after a single session of capacitive and resistive energetic transfer (TECAR) therapy on spastic gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles in chronic post-stroke. Methods: A total of 36 chronic stroke survivors with lower limb hypertonia were enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The experimental group (n = 18) received a single 30 min session of TECAR therapy in combination with functional massage (FM) on the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles. The control group (n = 18) received a sham treatment of TECAR therapy (without electrical stimulation) in combination with real FM. The primary outcome was muscle tone of the lower limb muscles assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The secondary outcomes were goniometric degrees of the MAS (goniometer), neuromuscular properties of the gastrocnemius/quadriceps (myotonometer), and passive range of motion (inclinometer). All measurements were performed at baseline (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), and at 30 min post-treatment (T2) by a blinded assessor. Results: The MAS score ankle dorsiflexion significantly decreased at T0–T1 (p = 0.046), and the change was maintained at T0–T2 (p = 0.019) in the experimental group. Significant improvements were noted in the passive range of motion for knee flexion (p = 0.012) and ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.034) at T2. In addition, knee flexion improved at T1 (p = 0.019). Conclusion: A single session of Tecar therapy at the same time with FM on the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris immediately reduces muscle tone and increases the passive range of motion of both ankle and knee in chronic stroke survivors. There were no significant changes in the neuromuscular properties measured with myotonometer.