Immediate therapeutic effect of interferential current therapy on spasticity, balance, and gait function in chronic stroke patients: a randomized control trial.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single trial of interferential current therapy (ICT) can immediately alleviate spasticity and improve balance and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation in a local center. SUBJECTS: A total of 42 adult patients with chronic stroke with plantar flexor spasticity of the lower limb. INTERVENTION The ICT group received a single 60-minute ICT stimulation of the gastrocnemius in conjunction with air-pump massage. In the placebo-ICT group, electrodes were placed and air-pump massage performed without electrical stimulation. MAIN MEASURES: After a single ICT application, spasticity was measured immediately using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and balance and functional gait performance were assessed using the following clinical tools Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and 10-m Walk Test (10MWT). RESULTS: Gastrocnemius spasticity significantly decreased in the ICT group than in the placebo-ICT group (MAS ICT vs placebo-ICT 1.55±0.76 vs 0.40±0.50). The ICT group showed significantly greater improvement in balance and gait abilities than the placebo-ICT group (FRT 2.62±1.21 vs 0.61±1.34, BBS 1.75±1.52 vs 0.40±0.88, TUG 6.07±6.11 vs 1.68±2.39, 10MWT 7.02±7.02 vs 1.96±3.13). Spasticity correlated significantly with balance and gait abilities (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single trial of ICT is a useful intervention for immediately improving spasticity, balance, and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients, but not for long-term effects. Further study on the effects of repeated ICT is needed.