Comparison of myofascial trigger point therapy to stretching and strengthening for maintaining or increasing muscle length in muscles with spasticity.

The application of Myofascial Trigger Point therapy in maintaining or increasing muscle length in muscles with spasticity, influencing the need for Botox and functional ability in School Aged Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS level I-III).

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12611000120976

Enrollment

Registered

2011-02-02

Start date

2011-07-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

The main aims of this research project are to compare the effects of routine therapy, considered as the combination of stretching, strengthening, casting and the application of botox, to the proposed therapy consisting only of stretching, strengthening and myofascial trigger point therapy. The effects of weekly myofascial trigger point therapy alongside stretching and strengthening will be measured in a group of children aged between 4 and 12 years with muscle spasticity. It is proposed that the study will be small due to limited resources, but the intention is to publish the results for further research in this area. We hypothesise that myofascial trigger point therapy when applied to spastic muscles is successful at maintaining or increasing muscle length.

Interventions

The research project will be divided into the application of two therapy blocks of 12 weeks, allowing the study to be a cross-over study. Participants will not have a break between blocks. One block will consist of stretching, strengthening and massage. The other block will consist of stretching, strengthening, massage and the application of myofascial trigger point therapy. Myofascial trigger points will be applied once a week by a qualified Physiotherapist and daily by the parents/carer for approximately 15minutes. Stretching, strengthening and massage will be carried out daily for a further 15 minutes. Measurements will be taken pre and post each block and will include, muscle length, quality of life survey, functional tests (ie hopping, single leg stand and heel-toe walk) and the need for botox. A follow up assessment will also be carried out 6 weeks later.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Crossover

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

6 Years to 12 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Children aged between 5 and 12 years Cerebral Palsy GMFCS level I and III with muscle spasticity Parent and Doctor consent

Exclusion criteria

None required.

Outcome results