Physical therapy modalities used in spasticity treatment

Abstract

Spasticity is a motor disorder characterized by an increase in velocity-dependent tonic stretching reflexes, along with increased tendon leaps resulting from the hyperexcitability of stretching reflexes. The primary goal of spasticity treatment should be to keep the patient away from possible secondary effects of spasticity. There is no single treatment method for the treatment of spasticity, and treatment should be planned individually based on variations in the condition of the underlying neurological lesion and on the clinical effects of spasticity among patients. The treatment of spasticity is multidisciplinary and consists of medical treatment, physical therapy and surgical methods. However, the drugs used as medical treatment unfortunately remain ineffective in the management of spasticity in most patients and that these drugs have some side effects, which may impede the motor functions, such as muscle weakness and drowsiness. Recently, physical therapy methods such as cold therapy, thermotherapy, ultrasound therapy, shock wave therapy, electrical stimulators, and vibration therapy have become increasingly popular as neuromodulator approaches in order to reduce spasticity. Physical therapy methods and rehabilitation techniques constitute non-pharmacological treatments and they are primary care treatments used in the early treatment of spasticity. © 2020 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.