Abstract

EFFECTS OF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE ON IMPROVING GAIT PERFORMANCE, BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN SUB- ACUTE STROKE PATIENTS

S. Karthikeyan*, V. K. Jayaseelan and Perooru Rupesh

ABSTRACT

Background: We hypothesized that spasticity in sub acute stroke is the major cause for reduced balance and gait performance which has a remarkable impact on the functional status of the patient. Various conventional methods have been followed to treat spasticity. My of ascial release is used as a new treatment technique to improve spasticity and thereby increasing the functional status of the patient. Objective: To identify the effects of My of ascial release in improving the Gait performance, Balance and Functional status among the Sub-acute stroke patients. Methodology: Study Design: Experimental design, comparative study. Sample size: 32 patients where each group consists of 16 patients. The study setting was Outpatient Physiotherapy Department. The duration of the study was 6 months. The experimental group (N=16) was treated with conventional therapy and my of ascial release. The treatment protocol was given for 8 weeks with 3 repetitions in a week. The pre and post-test values were taken. The other group received only conventional therapy. The outcome measures were Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index and Lower extremity functional scale. Results: The present study shows statistically significant improvement in group A than group B. The my of ascial release therapy improves Gait performance, balance and lower extremity functional status among the sub acute stroke patients. We used Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison of both groups which shows the p – value (0.006<0.05) for Dynamic Gait index, p – value (0.003 < 0.05) for Berg Balance Scale and p – value (0.003 < 0.05) for Lower Extremity Functional scale. Conclusion: The use of My of ascial release can be an adjunct intervention in the rehabilitation of stroke patients in reducing spasticity thereby promoting their balance, mobility and functional status.

Keywords: My of ascial release, balance, gait performance and stroke.