The Effect of Functional Stretching Exercises on Neural and Mechanical Properties of the Spastic Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Following spasticity, neural and mechanical changes of the paretic muscle often occur, which affect the muscle function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of functional stretching exercises on neural and mechanical properties of the spastic muscle in patients with stroke. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-blinded, randomized control trial. Forty five patients with stroke (experimental group: n = 30; control group: n = 15) participated in this study. Subjects in the experimental group participated in a functional stretching program 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Subjects in both groups were evaluated before the training, at the end of training, and then during a 2-month follow-up. Neural properties, including H-reflex latency and Hmax/Mmax ratio, were acquired. Mechanical properties, including fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness in the spastic medial gastrocnemius muscle, were evaluated. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used in the analysis. Results: Time by group interaction in the pennation angle (P =.006), and in muscle thickness (P =.030) was significant. The results indicated that the H-reflex latency (P =.006), pennation angle (P <.001), and muscle thickness (P =.001) were altered after stretching training program and these changes were at significant level after 2-month follow-up. Conclusion: The results indicated that the use of functional stretching exercises can cause significant differences in neural and mechanical properties of spastic medial gastrocnemius muscle in patients with chronic stroke.