The effect of passive cycling movements on spasticity after spinal cord injury: preliminary results

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the influence of rhythmic passive movements of the legs on the reduction of spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil, Switzerland. Methods: A total of 10 subjects with motor complete SCI were treated with a cycling device for half an hour. Before and after cycling their spasticity was tested with an isokinetic dynamometer. The subjects were tested one week later by exactly the same procedure with a half an hour break instead of the cycling. Subjects were asked about their spasticity before and after the cycling and break. Results: There was no significant difference in elicited peak torque either before and after the cycling, or before and after the break (MANOVA, Po0.05). Six out of 10 subjects estimated their spasticity as less after the cycling. Conclusion: With the isokinetic dynamometer, it was not possible to show an effect of passive cycling on spasticity reduction. However, six out of 10 of the subjects estimated their spasticity to be less after cycling. This positive effect might be attributed to a reduced spasticity in the trunk and/or to the attention the subjects perceived during the intervention.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 483-488.

Changes in spastic muscle tone increase in patients with spinal cord injury using functional electrical stimulation and passive leg movements

“…9 Although the modified Ashworth Scale showed a reduction of spastic muscle tone in our group, one should mention that this is a more subjective measure than the pendulum testing and might be investigatordependent. With the passive training in the pendulum testing only one measurement (relaxation index left leg) in one side was significantly increased, while we did not detect any changes in spastic tone with the other measurements.…”

Effects of robotic-locomotor training on stretch reflex function and muscular properties in individuals with spinal cord injury

“…Given that alternative physical therapies have been shown to reduce hypertonia, for example passive cycling with and without functional electrical stimulation (Kakebeeke et al, 2005, Krause et al, 2008, Rayegani et al, 2011), we hypothesized that RAST would similarly have a positive effect on reducing hypertonia. One preliminary study found that a single session of RAST could yield a significant reduction in joint stiffness in children with spastic cerebral palsy (Schmartz et al, 2011).…”

The Effect of Electrical Passive Cycling on Spasticity in War Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury

“…Passive rhythmic exercises entails several physical effects (Mutton et al, 1997). The main aim of passive movements of the legs is to preserve full range of motion over the joints that are immobilized and claim to have an effect on spasticity (Kakebeeke et al, 2005). …”

“…Improvements have been reported in spasticity (Kakebeeke et al, 2005), cardiac output and stroke volume (Therese et al, 2009), and muscle atrophy after a program of passive cycling (Therese et al, 2008). …”