Immediate Effect of Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy (CRet) Associated With Functional Massage on the Rectus Femoris and Gastrocnemius in Post-stroke Spasticity

Spasticity is a sensory motor disturbance as a result of a damage in the upper motoneuron, showing as an involuntary, intermittent and sustained activation of muscles. It is the most common feature after stroke, which most affects motor and functional recovery.

Spasticity prevalence runs from 25% to 46% after the first six months post-stroke, and it is estimated that 16% will require treatment.

Spasticity has neural (increased reflex activity) and biomechanical (altered viscoelastic properties due to immobilization) components. The initial paralysis after stroke modifies the bio mechanical properties of the muscle, thus shortening its fibers and causing an increase of velocity-dependent reflexes in the affected area. Spasticity manifests with paresis, increased muscle tone, muscular hyperactivity, decreased range of movement and pain.

Gait disorder is one of the main physical limitations in stroke survivors and an important target for stroke rehabilitation, since physiotherapy treatments of spasticity aim to decrease excessive muscular tone, ease mobility, give the patient the sense of right position and avoid joint limitations.

Functional Massage (F.M) is a non-invasive manual therapy technique that combines rhythmical passive mobilizations of the joints with gentle massage and compression of the muscles to be treated. As massage therapy is effective to improve spastic muscles and gross motor functions, F.M may be appropriate in treating post stroke spasticity and gait function. No studies were found on its effectiveness in patients with post-stroke spasticity.