Comparing the Effectiveness of Soft Tissue Manipulation and IASTM for Calf Muscle Tightness in Spastic Cerebral Palsy Children

Arun Selvi J.; Srilakshmi M.; Hari Hara Subramanyan P.V.; Mahesh Kumar P.G.; Shenbaga sundaram Subramanian; Thamer A. Altaim; Shadi Abdelbaset Alkhob; Riziq Allah Mustafa Gaowgzeh

doi:10.52756/ijerr.2024.v38.020

Authors

Arun Selvi J. Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. M. G. R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5197-7781
Srilakshmi M. Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. M. G. R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2112-2720
Hari Hara Subramanyan P.V. Faculty of Physiotherapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5487-5281
Mahesh Kumar P.G. Faculty of Physiotherapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2465-9462
Shenbaga sundaram Subramanian Associate professor, Chettinad School of Physiotherapy, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute(CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu 603103, India.
Thamer A. Altaim Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6527-4289
Shadi Abdelbaset Alkhob Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Jerash University, Jerash, Jordan
Riziq Allah Mustafa Gaowgzeh Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4199-2600

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2024.v38.020

Keywords:

Calf Muscle Tightness, Spastic Cerebral Palsy Children, Soft Tissue Manipulation, IASTM

Abstract

This experimental study aimed to assess the effectiveness of soft tissue manipulation and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in alleviating calf muscle tightness in children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Cerebral palsy, a condition affecting two to three out of every 1,000 live births, encompasses a range of challenges related to movement, posture, gait abnormalities, and balance issues. Specifically, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, characterized by leg spasticity, often results in walking difficulties, with tiptoeing as a common symptom due to calf muscle tightness. The study involved 30 children aged 5-12 diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy at ACS Medical College and Hospital. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: Group receiving soft tissue manipulation and Group B undergoing IASTM. Outcome measures included goniometry and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Random sampling was employed to select subjects, with exclusions for specific medical conditions. Written consent was obtained and demographic data were collected. Based on goniometry and the Modified Ashworth Scale, both interventions demonstrated highly significant differences in mean values within their respective groups. The findings underscore the potential efficacy of both soft tissue manipulation and IASTM in addressing calf muscle tightness in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

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