Efficacy of Massage in Stroke Spasticity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Stroke is one of the common diseases in the elderly. It is the third ranking cause of death and affects health care system in our country. One of the most important consequences of stroke is spasticity. Some stroke patients suffered from severe spasticity or hypersensitive reflex to stimuli. It can cause contracture, limit self care function, transfer or ambulation. Most of stroke patients have to depend on their relatives or families.

Detailed Description
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Thai traditional massage is one of the popular alternative medicine in Thailand. Lots of stroke patients who suffered from spasticity sought treatment. To the investigators knowledge, there is no study concerning efficacy of massage in decreasing spasticity for stroke patients.

Official Title
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The Efficacy of Thai Traditional Massage in Decreasing Spasticity for Elderly With Stroke

Conditions
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Stroke; Sequelae

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Thai Traditional Massage (TTM)
* Procedure: Physical therapy program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Stroke with onset of >=6 months Age >=50 years Spasticity grade of knee flexor or elbow flexor was 2-3 classified by Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) Ability to follow command and communicable Exclusion Criteria: Having contraindications for massage including fever > 38 degree, uncontrolled blood pressure, bleeding tendency, on anticoagulant drug, having ulcer or healing fracture of limbs, contamination skin disease, severe osteoporosis Serious contact diseases, for example AIDS, TB History of malignancy Fixed joint contracture at elbow or knee of paralyzed limb History of botulinum toxin injection or Phenol/Alcohol nerve block within 3 months Previous history of TTM Severe dementia or uncontrolled psychiatric problems

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Physical therapy<br>The control group will receive physical therapy 2 time per week for 6 weeks | Procedure: Physical therapy program<br>* Physical therapy program 2 times per week for 6 weeks.<br>* Other names: Physical therapy;|
| Experimental: Thai Traditional Massage<br>The experimental group will receive Thai traditional massage program 2 times per week for 6 weeks. | Procedure: Thai Traditional Massage (TTM)<br>* Thai Traditional Massage will receive massage 2 time per week for 6 weeks<br>* Other names: Thai Traditional Massage;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) | The massage will be considered success if MAS decreased at least 1 level after treatment. | 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Modified Barthel index (BI) | Massage will be considered success if BI score increases after treatment. | 6 weeks | 
| Hospital anxiety depression score (HADS) | Massage will be considered success if HADS decreases after treatment. | 6 weeks | 
| Thai Pictorial Quality of Life questionnaire | Massage will be considered if Thai pictorial QoL score increases after treatment. | 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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massage, stroke spasticity