Abstract
Objective
Equinus foot deformity (EFD) is the most common deviation after stroke. Several physiotherapy interventions have been suggested to treat it. However, studies evaluating the efficacy of these treatments vary widely in terms of assessment modalities, type of data analysis, and nomenclature. This scoping review aimed to map current available evidence on outcome measures and the modalities employed to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy programs for the reduction of triceps surae (TS) spasticity and EFD in patients with stroke.
Methods
Scoping review methodological frameworks have been used. Three databases were investigated. Primary literature addressing TS spasticity in adult patients with stroke using physiotherapy interventions was included. Findings were systematically summarized in tables according to the intervention used, intervention dosage, control group, clinical, and instrumental outcome measures.
Results
Of the 642 retrieved studies, 53 papers were included. TS spasticity was assessed by manual maneuvers performed by clinicians (mainly using the Ashworth Scale), functional tests, mechanical evaluation through robotic devices, or instrumental analysis and imaging (such as the torque-angle ratio, the H-reflex, and ultrasound images). A thorough critical appraisal of the construct validity of the scales and of the statistics employed was provided, particularly focusing on the choice of parametric and non-parametric approaches when using ordinal scales. Finally, the complexity surrounding the concept of “spasticity” and the possibility of assessing the several underlying active and passive causes of EFD, with a consequent bespoke treatment for each of them, was discussed.
Conclusion
This scoping review provides a comprehensive description of all outcome measures and assessment modalities used in literature to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments, when used for the reduction of TS spasticity and EFD in patients with stroke. Clinicians and researchers can find an easy-to-consult summary that can support both their clinical and research activities.
Funder
Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Reference113 articles.
1. Added Value of Dynamic EMG in the Assessment of the Equinus and the Equinovarus Foot Deviation in Stroke Patients and Barriers Limiting Its Usage.;I Campanini;Front Neurol,2020
2. Early rehabilitation treatment combined with equinovarus foot deformity surgical correction in stroke patients: safety and changes in gait parameters.;E Giannotti;Eur J Phys Rehabil Med,2016
3. Return to work and quality of life after stroke in Italy: A study on the efficacy of technologically assisted neurorehabilitation.;SG Ghoshchi;Int J Environ Res Public Health,2020
4. Non-pharmacological interventions for spasticity in adults: An overview of systematic reviews.;F Khan;Ann Phys Rehabil Med.,2019
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献