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Abstract

Background & Objective: Stroke is a medically characterized illness of sudden, focused neurological dysfunction caused by blood vessel derangement (e.g., infarction, hemorrhage) of the central nervous system. Various physical therapy modalities have been in use to mitigate the effects of stroke. This study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and neurodynamic technique (NDT) on lower extremity spasticity, range of motion, balance, and gait in chronic stroke patients.
Methodology: A randomized clinical trial was done in the physiotherapy department of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, in which 36 stroke patients, of both genders aged 45 to 60 years were included. Patients who had any other neuro-musculoskeletal disease were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group A received instrument-assisted, soft tissue mobilization and conventional physical therapy, while Group B received neurodynamic technique and conventional physiotherapy. Non-probability sampling technique was used. Data was collected on the baseline, at 4th week, and then at 8th week. Berg-Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and goniometer tools were used for the assessment. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for between-group studies, and the Friedman test was used for within-group studies. A p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Both Instrumental-assisted soft tissue mobilization and neurodynamic technique have significant efficacy in improving lower extremity spasticity, range of motion, balance, and gait challenges in chronic stroke patients. Particularly, Soft Tissue Mobilization demonstrated a significantly increased therapeutic benefit, highlighting its potential as the primary treatment modality in this setting.
Conclusion: It is concluded that both techniques are effective but instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization along with physiotherapy is more effective for spasticity, range of motion, balance, and gait in chronic stroke patients.
Abbreviations: BBS: Berg-Balance Scale, EMG: electromyogram, IASTM: instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, MAS: Modified Ashworth Scale, NDT: neurodynamic technique
Keywords: Balance; Gait; Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Neurodynamic Technique; Stroke
Citation: SarfrazA, Abbas ZU, Ashraf HS, Quratulain, Shan e Fatima S, Sharif Z. Comparative effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and neurodynamic technique on lower extremity spasticity, range of motion, balance, and gait in chronic stroke patients. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(3):507-513. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i3.2420
Received: March 30, 2024; Revised: March 25, 2025; Accepted: April 05, 2025