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Effect of Radial Shockwave on Calf Muscle Spasticity in Patients With Cerebral Palsy

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Interventions
Other: Standard physical therapy program
Other: Experimental Interventions
Registration Number
NCT05883020
Lead Sponsor
University of Hail
Brief Summary

the aim of this study to assess different outcome measures after applying standard physical therapy plus radial shockwave and compare the results with another group who received standard treatment only.

Design: double-blinded (assessor and data analyzer)

Methods: This study will be conducted in 4 rehabilitation facilities, Times for 1 month of intervention Assessment timeline: 3 times (T0: at baseline, T1: at 4 weeks, T2: follow up at 3 months. Outcome measures: the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Ankle ROM, Plantar surface area, Gross motor function, and quality of life

Detailed Description

the current study is a randomized controlled trial in which the researchers intended to examine the effect of adding radial shockwave therapy to standard physical therapy on the status of calf muscle spasticity and consequent effects on gross motor function, ankle joint ROM, plantar surface area, and quality of life.

the experimental intervention will consist of 4 sessions of radial shockwave applied to the bulkiest area of the calf muscle in children having spastic cerebral palsy. participants will receive 1 session of radial shockwave per week and will continue their regular physical therapy as usual (3 sessions per week).

outcome assessment will be conducted 3 times: at baseline, after the end of the treatment program, and at 3 months follow-up.

the tools that will be used to collect data will be:

1. Modified Ashworth scale for muscle tone.

2. Goniometer for Ankle ROM.

3. EMed force platform for plantar surface area

4. Gross motor function scale for gross motor function

5. Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for quality of life assessment

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
70
Inclusion Criteria
  • age between 8-14
  • diagnosed with spastic CP
  • ability to walk alone or with assistance
  • grades 1 -4 on Gross Motor Function Classification System
  • at least score 1 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
  • ability to attend the treatment program and the outcome assessment sessions.
Exclusion Criteria
  • patients who received a botulinum toxin injection in the calf muscle during the last six months
  • structural contracture of the calf muscle
  • surgery in the lower extremity during the previous year
  • those experiencing pain in the lower limbs
  • severe associated neurological diseases as epilepsy
  • medications affecting peripheral muscle tone.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard physical therapy programStandard physical therapy programall participants will receive strengthing, stretching, facilitation and inhibitory techniques, splinting, developmental techniques, gait, and balance training. The duration of each session will be 1 hour, 3 times per week for 4 weeks.
Radial shockwave therapy (rSWT)Experimental InterventionsOne session per week of rSWT will be applied using shockwave device. The following parameters will be used: Shocks number: 1500 per muscle, will be applied over the belly of the calf muscle using the 15 mm applicator head. The pressure will be 2 bar and the frequency will be 4 Hz. Patients will receive shock wave from prone position.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
calf muscle toneat follow up (3months after the end of the treatment)

the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) will be used to assess the tone of the affected calf muscle. the test will be done by moving the ankle joint passively and assess quality of movement and resistance provided by the tissues. scores ranged from 0 to 4 where 0 means normal and 4 means higher spasticity

plantar surface areaat follow up (3months after the end of the treatment)

E Med force platform will be used to assess plantar surface area during normal relaxed standing. it will be expected that larger surface area indicate improvement in calf muscle spasticity

gross-motor functionat follow up (3months after the end of the treatment)

Gross Motor Function Measure scale will be used to assess changes in gross motor. function in cerebral palsy patients. the score will be determined according to the tasks the patient can do. where lower score (1) for nealy normal patients while score of (5) will indicate lowest gross motor abilities.

ankle joint ROMat follow up (3months after the end of the treatment)

traditional goniometer will be used to measure active ROM of the ankle joint. the patient will be in supine position during assessment

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
cerebral palsy quality of life questionnaireat follow up (3months after the end of the treatment)

Parents will be asked to report their level of quality of life using the Cerebral Palsy Qualityof life questionnair. the higher the gained score the better the quality of life achieved.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

King Salman Hospital

🇸🇦

Hail, Saudi Arabia

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