A Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Reducing Spasticity of Plantar Flexors in Hemiplegic Patients

Jaspreet Kaur; Lalit Arora; Reena Arora; Smati Sambyal

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Reducing Spasticity of Plantar Flexors in Hemiplegic Patients

Jaspreet Kaur, Lalit Arora, Reena Arora, Smati Sambyal

Abstract :

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and most common cause of disability among adults. Many of the limitations caused by stroke are related to spasticity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in reducing spasticity of plantar flexors in hemiplegic patients. 30 patients based on inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from the OPD of University College of Physiotherapy, Faridkot. Patients were equally divided into two groups based on randomisation Group A (n=15) and Group B (n=15). Patients in Group A (Experimental Group) received TENS along with passive stretching and conventional physiotherapy. Patients in Group B (Control Group) received passive stretching conventional physiotherapy. Duration of treatment was 6 weeks with treatment session for 6 days a week. Outcome Measures were Modified Ashworth Scale and Range of motion. Both the groups showed reduction in spasticity of plantar flexors, improvement in ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion ROM of post stroke hemiplegic patients (p<0.05).Between groups analysis showed that experimental group demonstrated more significant improvement in spasticity. Thus the study concluded that TENS along with passive stretching is effective in reducing spasticity and increase ROM in post stroke hemiplegic patients.