Immediate Effects of Tecar Therapy on Gastrocnemius and Quadriceps muscles with Spastic Hypertonia in Chronic Stroke Survivors. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Lower limb hypertonia due to spasticity is a common condition in chronic stroke survivors. Tecar Therapy could be a non-invasive strategy to reduce muscle tone in these individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess changes in muscle properties after a single session of Tecar Therapy combined with Functional Massage on the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles with spastic hypertonia (spasticity) chronic stroke survivors. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted of 36 chronic stroke survivors with lower limb hypertonia. The experimental group (n=18) received a single 30-minute session of Tecar Therapy in combination with FM on the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles. The control group (n=18) received a sham treatment Tecar Therapy (without electrical stimulation) in combination with real FM. The primary outcome was muscle tone of the lower limb muscles assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The secondary outcomes were, goniometric degrees of the MAS (goniometer), neuromuscular properties of the gastrocnemius/quadriceps (myotonometer), and passive range of motion (inclinometer). All measurements were performed at baseline (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), and at 30-minutes post-treatment (T2) by a blinded assessor. Results: The MAS score ankle dorsiflexion significantly decreased at T0-T1 (p=0.046) and the change was maintained at T2-T0 (p=0.019) in the experimental group. Significant improvements were noted in passive range of motion for knee flexion (p=0.012) and ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.034) at T2. In addition, knee flexion improved at T1 (p=0.019). Conclusion: A single session of Tecar Therapy, combined with FM, on the gastrocnemius and quadriceps, immediately decreases muscle tone and increases passive range of motion of the ankle and knee in chronic stroke survivors. No significant changes were showed for the neuromuscular properties with myotonometer of the gastrocnemius and quadriceps.