Effect of shock wave therapy on ankle plantar flexors spasticity in stroke patients

BACKGROUND: Large number of patients with first-ever stroke developed spasticity. Spasticity can reduce the range of motion, hinder voluntary movements, provoke pain, and result in impairment of functional activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the effect of shock wave therapy on ankle plantar flexors spasticity in stroke patients. METHODS: We included forty ischemic stroke patients divided into 2 groups; group I were subjected to the selected physical therapy program and shock wave therapy whereas group II received the selected physical therapy program as well as placebo shock wave for six weeks. Both groups were subjected to pre- and post-treatment assessment by H/M ratio, dorsiflexion active range of motion, and time of ten-meters walking. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the grades of spasticity. Whereas After treatment, there were a highly significant difference between both groups regarding the grades of spasticity according to the 3 parameters, H/M ratio, dorsiflexion active range of motion, and time of ten-meters walking test ( P values; <0.001, 0.006, and 0.009 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Shock wave therapy is effective in controlling spasticity, increase dorsiflexion active range of motion of ankle and improving ten-meters walking test in stroke patients.