International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education

Authors
Kuki Bordoloi, Rup Sekhar Deka

Abstract
Introduction: Spasticity is one of the most common complications of stroke. This occurs due to increase in the muscle tone and hyperactive reflexes, which leads to functional impairment. Since, stroke rehabilitation takes prolonged duration of time, hence, home base exercise therapy is usually recommended to patients after their discharge from hospital. Moreover, Rood’s approach is a neurophysiological approach which is designed to ameliorate the after effects of stroke through neuro-facilitation. Methodology: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a Home Exercise Program (HEP) coupled with and without Rood’s approach on the muscle tone of stroke patients after 3 months of physical therapy. A pre and post experimental study was done at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Assam (India). A total of 236 hemiplegic subjects with intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke were considered who were divided into two groups – Group A: Patients receiving only HEP and Group B: Patients receiving both HEP and neuro-facilitation based on Rood’s approach. The outcome variable measuring muscle tone (spasticity) was Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Result: It was observed after treatment of 3 months that the MAS was significantly improved in terms of decreased muscle tone in case of patients receiving HEP with Rood’s approach (Group B) when compared to the group receiving HEP alone (Group A) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although it was found that both the groups decreased the muscle tone, but HEP with Rood’s approach was found to be more effective in decreasing the spasticity i.e. decrease muscle tone. This shows that a neuro-facilitation technique such as Rood’s approach is an effective technique for stroke rehabilitation.