Stretching Techniques of Knee Muscles and Their Effect on Joint Range, Suppleness and Muscle Activity in Elderly

Sponsor

Deepak Malhotra (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT05785416

Collaborator

Jamia Millia Islamia (Other)

Enrollment

Location

Arms

10.8

Actual Duration (Months)

2.8

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to compare the effect of two different types of stretching techniques in elderly population. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What is the immediate effect (after a single intervention) of these stretching techniques on muscle flexibility, amount of knee joint motion and muscle activity?
What is the effect of a four week intervention program of these stretching techniques on muscle flexibility, amount of knee joint motion and muscle activity? There were three groups with ten randomly allocated participants in each group. Intervention group I was given a stretching technique called contract-relax technique and the Intervention group II was given static stretching. The third group was not given any treatment and was taken as a control. The main aim was to find out that whether the two techniques are effective or not and which one of the two is better than the other in terms of improvement in the above mentioned parameters.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Muscle Tightness Muscle Weakness	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Stretching - Contract Relax stretching (PNF-CR) Other: Static Stretching (SS)	N/A

Detailed Description

The objective of the study was to compare the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation - Contract Relax (PNF- CR) and static stretch techniques immediately and post four weeks of intervention on knee range of motion, flexibility and electromyographic activity of knee muscles among older adults. This is an outcome assessor-blinded pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial with two experimental groups (PNF-CR and Static Stretching) and a control group. 30 males aged 55-75 years were randomly assigned into PNF group (n=10), Static Stretch group (n=10) and Control group (n=10). Knee range of motion, electromyographic activity of hamstrings and sit and reach test, were taken for the dominant side thrice: pre-intervention, immediately after stretching and after the training period. Active knee range of motion (ROM) was assessed using a universal goniometer. Surface Electromyography (EMG) was used to record Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of biceps femoris and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (CART) was used to assess the hamstring muscle's length flexibility.

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

30 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Intervention Model Description:

30 males aged 55-75 years were randomly assigned into 3 arms - PNF group (n=10), Static Stretch group (n=10) and Control group (n=10)30 males aged 55-75 years were randomly assigned into 3 arms - PNF group (n=10), Static Stretch group (n=10) and Control group (n=10)

Masking:

Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking Description:

outcome assessor-blinded pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial

Primary Purpose:

Prevention

Official Title:

Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Joint Range of Motion, Flexibility and Electromyographic Activity of Knee Muscles in Older Adults

Actual Study Start Date :

Mar 1, 2018

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Nov 28, 2018

Actual Study Completion Date :

Jan 24, 2019

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: PNF- CR Group The participants in the group were given PNF contract- relax stretching using the standard protocol. One trial had two isometric contractions each followed by five seconds muscle stretch and there was a total of four trials. Total of 12 sessions in 4 weeks (3sessions/week).	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Stretching - Contract Relax stretching (PNF-CR) PNF-CR utilized the concept of autogenic inhibition of the muscle for improving the flexibility of the muscle. It includes stretching a muscle after a brief period of activation.
Experimental: Static Stretching Group The participants in the group were given sustained stretching for a period of 80s at a stretch. Total of 12 sessions in 4 weeks (3sessions/week).	Other: Static Stretching (SS) The SS technique utilized the concept of creep for improving the hamstring flexibility. The stretch was maintained for a prolonged period passively by the therapist.
No Intervention: Control Group No intervention was given in this group

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Experimental: PNF- CR Group

The participants in the group were given PNF contract- relax stretching using the standard protocol. One trial had two isometric contractions each followed by five seconds muscle stretch and there was a total of four trials. Total of 12 sessions in 4 weeks (3sessions/week).

Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Stretching - Contract Relax stretching (PNF-CR)

PNF-CR utilized the concept of autogenic inhibition of the muscle for improving the flexibility of the muscle. It includes stretching a muscle after a brief period of activation.

Experimental: Static Stretching Group

The participants in the group were given sustained stretching for a period of 80s at a stretch. Total of 12 sessions in 4 weeks (3sessions/week).

Other: Static Stretching (SS)

The SS technique utilized the concept of creep for improving the hamstring flexibility. The stretch was maintained for a prolonged period passively by the therapist.

No Intervention: Control Group

No intervention was given in this group

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in Active Knee Range of Motion [Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention]
The active extension knee range of motion was measured using a universal goniometer.
Change in Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) [Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention]
The Electromyographic activity of the biceps femoris muscle was evaluated using the surface electrodes during the maximal isometric contraction.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in Hamstring flexibility [Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention]
The hamstring flexibility was measured using the Chair Sit and Reach Test (CART)

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

55 Years to 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

Male adults aged between 55 and 75 years
Able to do activities of daily living (ADL) without assistance
Able to comprehend and follow instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

Grade III or IV osteoarthritis or any other musculoskeletal condition affecting the muscle length.
History of any surgery to hip, knee, low back or ankle
History of any medication (anti-inflammatory, for pain relief, or anti-arthritic) in previous six months
History of life-threatening disease (neurological disease, cardiovascular disease, severe hypertension)
Passive full knee extension (popliteal angle 180 degrees)