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

King Saud University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Myofascial release technique along with conventional physiotherapy exercises; Other: Conventional physiotherapy exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05242679

GSTIESC/23/16

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 22 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No 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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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22 participants in 2 patient groups

Myofascial Release Group

Experimental group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Other: Myofascial release technique along with conventional physiotherapy exercises

Conventional Physiotherapy Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Conventional physiotherapy exercises