Adaptive neuromodulation in the treatment of spasticity

Abstract

This research has the purpose to evaluate the immediate effects on spasticity of lower limbs of a single session of two
different therapeutic approaches in patients affected by cerebral palsy.
A total of 30 patients, with an age between and 10-40 years old and affected by cerebral palsy associated to spastic
para/tetra paresis, were recruited and equally and randomly divided into 3 groups: group A has was treated with
hydrokinesitherapy (HKT). Group B was treated with adaptive electro neuromodulation (ENM). Group C underwent
a sham approach respecting the operative procedure of Group B with the device not operating.
All patients were evaluated, before (T0) and after (T1) the single session of treatment, through myometric evaluation
of muscular rheological parameters.
The analysis of results underlined that both HKT and ENM resulted effective in reducing muscular hypertone associated to spasticity, while in Group C no significant results were detected.
We can affirm that both ENM and HKT approach can be good alternatives for the treatment of spasticity in patients
affected by cerebral palsy