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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Spastic Equinus Foot in Stroke Patients

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Stroke
Equinus Deformity
Spasticity, Muscle
Interventions
Device: fESWT
Registration Number
NCT06547684
Lead Sponsor
Teresa Mateu Campos
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate long term effects of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (fESWT) on triceps surae spasticity in stroke patients according to the number of sessions applied.

Hypothesis: 3 sessions of fESWT on equinus foot in stroke patients improve spasticity and functionality for longer term than 1 session of fESWT.

Detailed Description

Spasticity is a common complication as a consequence of suffering a stroke and one of the most important causes of disability in this pathology.

Global data estimate that 12 million people world-wide suffer from spasticity of the upper or lower limb. Equinus foot is the most common pattern of the lower extremities.

Previous studies have reported that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a safe and noninvasive alternative treatment for spasticity.

Although the authors have shown a beneficial clinical effect of the ESWT, outcomes and duration of effect varied across studies.

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. 60 stroke patients with spastic equinus foot post stroke will enroll in this study.

The participants will be randomly divided into two groups. The first group (control group) will receive 1 session of fESWT, while the second group (experimental group) will receive 3 sessions of fESWT, once a week, for 3 consecutive weeks.

Therapy will be administered directly to the muscle bellies of the gastrocnemius medial and lateral and soleus. The muscle belly will be located by ultrasonography.

The primary outcome is modified Ashworth scale. Secondary outcomes are passive range of ankle motion, mobility and balance test, spasm frequency scale and quality of life scales.

Participants will be evaluated by the same researcher before the first shock wave therapy and after the last session of fESWT will be done periodic revisions on weeks 1, 4, 8, 12, 20, 24, 36 and 48. Adverse events will be monitored during the study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age greater than 18 years old
  • Time from stroke (ischemic o hemorrhagic) onset of at least 6 months
  • Spastic equinus foot: triceps surae tone grade at least 1+ on the MAS score
  • Ability to walk alone with or without aids
Exclusion Criteria
  • Fixed ankle joint contracture
  • Severe medical problems
  • Treatment of the affected leg with botulinum toxin in the las 6 months
  • Cognitive impairment

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
GROUP 2fESWT3 sessions of fESWT (1 session per week for 3 consecutive weeks)
GROUP 1fESWT1 session of fESWT
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)Before the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

A manual measurement of the resistance os muscles during passive stretching. Score from 0 to 4, higher scores mean a worse outcome

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain ScoreBefore the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Pain Score: from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst imaginable pain)

Test Up and Go (TUG)Before the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Asses the mobility and balance

Spasm Frequency ScaleBefore the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Estimate muscle spams. Score 0 (no spams) to 4 (\>10 spams)

Fall Skip DeviceBefore the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Assesment of fall risk

Stroke Quality of Life Scale (ECVI-38)Before the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

A questionnaire of 38 items: from 1 (no problem) to 190 (the worst situation)

Passive Ankle range of motion (PROM)Before the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Measure with goniometer

10 Meters Walk TestBefore the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Measure the gait speed

Test 6 Minutes WalkingBefore the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

Asses walking resistance

Self Report Spasticity Scale (SRSS)Before the first shock wave therapy and 1,4,8,12,20,24,36 and 48 weeks after the last session of ESWT.

A questionnaire of 8 items: from 0 (nothing) to 24 (cpmpletely)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital de la Plana

🇪🇸

Vila-real, Castellon, Spain

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