Effect of Myofascial Release With Tennis Ball on Spasticity and Motor Functions

Sponsor

King Saud University (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT05242679

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Location

Arms

Actual Duration (Months)

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Impaired motor function and upper extremity spasticity are common concerns in patients after stroke. It is essential to plan therapeutic techniques to recover from the stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release with the tennis ball on spasticity and motor functions of the upper extremity in patients with chronic stroke.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Stroke	Other: Myofascial release technique along with conventional physiotherapy exercises Other: Conventional physiotherapy exercises	N/A

Detailed Description

Myofascial release is a therapeutic technique that aims to improve flexibility and sliding between layers of soft tissues, reduce the severity of muscle activity pain, and improve functional performance. A previous study included myofascial release with a tennis ball in the lower extremity in patients with chronic stroke and reported improved balance. Different other unique therapeutic interventions have been proposed over the past two decades for stroke management; however, myofascial release with a tennis ball has not been included in them. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of myofascial release with a tennis ball on spasticity and motor functions of the upper limb in patients with chronic stroke.

Participants were equally divided into two groups viz. experimental and control, with 11 participants in each group.

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Actual Enrollment :

22 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Intervention Model Description:

Two-arm parallel pre-test-post-test experimental design.Two-arm parallel pre-test-post-test experimental design.

Masking:

Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

Effect of Myofascial Release With Tennis Ball on Spasticity and Upper Limb Motor Functions in Patients With Chronic Stroke

Actual Study Start Date :

Nov 21, 2016

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Aug 8, 2017

Actual Study Completion Date :

Oct 23, 2017

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Myofascial Release Group Participants were treated with a conventional physiotherapy program along with myofascial release with a tennis ball.	Other: Myofascial release technique along with conventional physiotherapy exercises Myofascial release technique was performed using a tennis ball along with conventional physiotherapy exercises.
Active Comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy Group A conventional physiotherapy program was provided including range of motion/flexibility exercises, strength training, postural control, functional mobility exercises, lower limb functional exercises, and gait training.	Other: Conventional physiotherapy exercises Conventional physiotherapy exercises were performed including the range of motion/flexibility exercises, strength training, postural control, functional exercises, and gait training.

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Experimental: Myofascial Release Group

Participants were treated with a conventional physiotherapy program along with myofascial release with a tennis ball.

Other: Myofascial release technique along with conventional physiotherapy exercises

Myofascial release technique was performed using a tennis ball along with conventional physiotherapy exercises.

Active Comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy Group

A conventional physiotherapy program was provided including range of motion/flexibility exercises, strength training, postural control, functional mobility exercises, lower limb functional exercises, and gait training.

Other: Conventional physiotherapy exercises

Conventional physiotherapy exercises were performed including the range of motion/flexibility exercises, strength training, postural control, functional exercises, and gait training.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Spasticity [4 weeks.]
Spasticity measured using Modified Ashworth scale - Scores range from 0 to 4, where lower scores represent normal muscle tone and higher scores represent spasticity.
Upper limb motor functions [4 weeks.]
Upper limb motor functions measured using Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale - Scores range from 0-66, where lower score represent poor performance of upper extremity and higher scores represents good performance of upper extremity

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

40 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

Unilateral stroke,
Hemiplegia with upper extremity dysfunctions of more than 6 months and less than 2 years of duration
modified Ashworth scale of grade 1-3,
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) >24 suggesting intact cognition,
full passive range of motion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand joints
voluntary control by Brunnstrom of grade 3-5 for shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints

Exclusion Criteria:

circulatory problems such as deep vein thrombosis,
impaired sensation over the affected upper limb,
recently injured area/open wounds,
arthritic or any other musculoskeletal condition of the upper extremity, shoulder instability based on the posterior or anterior apprehension test, and positive sulcus test,
history of brain surgery after stroke,
Botox injection in the past four months,
medically unstable patients,
patients who have had multiple strokes.