Does electrical stimulation reduce spasticity after stroke? A randomized controlled study

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of electrical stimulation on plantarflexor spasticity in stroke patients.Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial study.Setting: Rehabilitation clinic of Semnan University of Medical Sciences.Subjects: Forty stroke patients (aged from 42 to 65 years) with ankle plantarflexor spasticity.Intervention: Fifteen minutes of inhibitory Bobath techniques were applied to one experimental group and a combination of 9 minutes of electrical stimulation on the dorsiflexor muscles and inhibitory Bobath techniques was applied to another group for 20 sessions daily.Main measures: Passive ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion, dorsiflexion strength test, plantarflexor muscle tone by Modified Ashworth Scale and soleus muscle H-reflex.Results: The mean change of passive ankle joint dorsiflexion in the combination therapy group was 11.4 (SD 4.79) degrees versus 6.1 (SD 3.09) degrees, which was significantly higher (P = 0.001). The mean change of plantarflexor muscle t...