[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of high-intensity pulse
irradiation with linear polarized near-infrared rays (HI-LPNR) and stretching on
hypertonia in cerebrovascular disease patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were
40 cerebrovascular disease patients with hypertonia of the ankle joint plantar flexor
muscle. The subjects were randomly allocated to groups undergoing treatment with HI-LPNR
irradiation (HI-LPNR group), stretching (stretching group), HI-LPNR irradiation followed
by stretching (combination group), and control group (10 subjects each). In all groups,
the passive range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion and passive resistive joint torque of
ankle dorsiflexion were measured before and after the specified intervention. [Results]
The changes in passive range of motion, significant increase in the stretching and
combination groups compared with that in the control group. The changes in passive
resistive joint torque, significant decrease in HI-LPNR, stretching, and combination
groups compared with that in the control group. [Conclusion] HI-LPNR irradiation and
stretching has effect of decrease muscle tone. However, combination of HI-LPNR irradiation
and stretching has no multiplier effect.