Effects of High-Velocity Passive Stretch on Spasticity, Function, and Muscle Structure in Spastic CP Children

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 2 and 8 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

One of the traditional exercises applied to cerebral palsy (CP) is passive stretching exercises. Passive stretching exercises can be applied to these patients at various speeds. A recent study has shown that high-speed passive stretching in children with CP can increase muscle bundle length in spastic muscles. Therefore, high-speed stretching exercises may potentiate the positive effects of BoNT-A treatment on spasticity and muscle fascicle in patients with CP.

The 2 groups in the trial

• Standard Stretching + Standard Physical Therapy following BoNT-A InjectionExisting treatment, for comparison

  Participants received BoNT-A injections into the gastrocnemius muscle at clinically appropriate doses, based on individual clinical presentations and within established indications. In addition to standard physical therapy-including strengthening exercises, weight-bearing activities, balance training, proprioceptive exercises, and gait training-a standardized ankle joint stretching protocol was administered three sessions per week under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Stretching was performed for 15 minutes per leg per session, consisting of 10 repetitions of 60-second stretches with 30-second rest intervals between repetitions. The intervention period lasted four weeks. During this period, the exercises were administered by a physiotherapist. In parallel, the exercise program was taught to the families, and following the supervised phase, it was continued as a home-based exercise program for up to six months.

  Treatment: Exercise

• High-Velocity Stretching + Standard Physical Therapy following BoNT-A InjectionTreatment being tested

  Participants received BoNT-A injections into the gastrocnemius muscle at clinically appropriate doses, based on their individual clinical presentation and within established indications. In addition to standard physical therapy-including strengthening exercises, weight-bearing activities, balance training, proprioception, and gait training-a rapid stretching protocol was administered. Rapid stretching was performed starting from the initial position, first at the slowest possible velocity (V1) for 5 minutes, as described in the Tardieu method, followed by stretching at the fastest possible velocity (V3), sufficient to elicit a catch, for 10 minutes. A 1-minute rest period was provided during each stretching session. This protocol was conducted three times per week for four weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. After the supervised phase, the stretching exercises were taught to the families and continued at home for up to six months as a home-based program, without veloci

  Treatment: Exercise