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Effect of Radial Shockwave on Calf Muscle Spasticity in Patients With Cerebral Palsy

Effect of Radial Shock Wave Therapy on Calf Muscle Tone, ROM, Gross Motor Scale, Plantar Surface and Quality of Life in Patients With Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05883020
Enrollment
70
Registered
2023-05-31
Start date
2023-03-13
Completion date
2024-03-01
Last updated
2024-05-10

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

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Keywords

radial shockwave therapy, muscle tone, ROM, gross motor scale, quality of life

Brief summary

the aim of this study to assess different outcome measures after applying standard physical therapy plus radial shockwave and compare the results with another group who received standard treatment only. Design: double-blinded (assessor and data analyzer) Methods: This study will be conducted in 4 rehabilitation facilities, Times for 1 month of intervention Assessment timeline: 3 times (T0: at baseline, T1: at 4 weeks, T2: follow up at 3 months. Outcome measures: the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Ankle ROM, Plantar surface area, Gross motor function, and quality of life

Detailed description

the current study is a randomized controlled trial in which the researchers intended to examine the effect of adding radial shockwave therapy to standard physical therapy on the status of calf muscle spasticity and consequent effects on gross motor function, ankle joint ROM, plantar surface area, and quality of life. the experimental intervention will consist of 4 sessions of radial shockwave applied to the bulkiest area of the calf muscle in children having spastic cerebral palsy. participants will receive 1 session of radial shockwave per week and will continue their regular physical therapy as usual (3 sessions per week). outcome assessment will be conducted 3 times: at baseline, after the end of the treatment program, and at 3 months follow-up. the tools that will be used to collect data will be: 1. Modified Ashworth scale for muscle tone. 2. Goniometer for Ankle ROM. 3. EMed force platform for plantar surface area 4. Gross motor function scale for gross motor function 5. Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for quality of life assessment

Interventions

OTHERExperimental Interventions

One session per week of rSWT will be applied using the BMI-1120 SHOCK MED device (BIO-MED-INC- ITALY). The following parameters will be used: Shocks number: 1500 per muscle, will be applied over the belly of the calf muscle using the 15 mm applicator head. The pressure will be 2 bar and the frequency will be 4 Hz. Patients will receive shock wave from prone position.

Regular rehabilitation procedures consist of strengthing, stretching, facilitation and inhibitory techniques, splinting, developmental techniques, gait and balance training, and advice to parents. The duration of each session will be 1 hour, 3 times per week for 4 weeks

Sponsors

University of Hail
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* age between 8-14 * diagnosed with spastic CP * ability to walk alone or with assistance * grades 1 -4 on Gross Motor Function Classification System * at least score 1 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) * ability to attend the treatment program and the outcome assessment sessions.

Exclusion criteria

* patients who received a botulinum toxin injection in the calf muscle during the last six months * structural contracture of the calf muscle * surgery in the lower extremity during the previous year * those experiencing pain in the lower limbs * severe associated neurological diseases as epilepsy * medications affecting peripheral muscle tone.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
calf muscle toneat baselinethe Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) will be used to assess the tone of the affected calf muscle. the test will be done by moving the ankle joint passively and assess quality of movement and resistance provided by the tissues. scores ranged from 0 to 4 where 0 means normal and 4 means higher spasticity
ankle joint ROMat baselinetraditional goniometer will be used to measure active ROM of the ankle joint. the patient will be in supine position during assessment
plantar surface areaat baselineE Med force platform will be used to assess plantar surface area during normal relaxed standing. it will be expected that larger surface area indicate improvement in calf muscle spasticity
gross-motor functionat baselineGross Motor Function Measure scale will be used to assess changes in gross motor. function in cerebral palsy patients. the score will be determined according to the tasks the patient can do. where lower score (1) for nealy normal patients while score of (5) will indicate lowest gross motor abilities.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
cerebral palsy quality of life questionnaireat baselineParents will be asked to report their level of quality of life using the Cerebral Palsy Qualityof life questionnair. the higher the gained score the better the quality of life achieved.

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026