Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Reduction of spasticity in cerebral palsy using feedback of the tonic stretch reflex: a controlled study
O'Dwyer N, Neilson P, Nash J
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 1994 Sep;36(9):770-786
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Subjects with cerebral palsy aged six to 19 years undertook a training programme to reduce spasticity and contracture of the triceps surae muscle using feedback of the gain of the tonic stretch reflex. Stretch reflex gain was significantly reduced (by 50% on average) in all eight test subjects, whereas there was no significant change in control subjects, matched for age and level of spasticity, who had no reflex training. Contracture of the triceps surae muscle was not altered. Since the reduction in spasticity can be expected to slow the recurrence of muscle shortening, it is suggested that for correction of muscle contracture, muscle-lengthening procedures to promote muscle growth should be combined with reflex training to maintain the growth achieved.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help