Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide. Spasticity (muscle spasm) is a common and disabling consequence of stroke. Lower extremity spasticity significantly compromises postural control, balance, and gait performance. Patients with spasticity demonstrate greater difficulty in standing and walking compared with non-spastic stroke survivors.
Management of spasticity includes physical therapy modalities, exercise programs, orthoses, and pharmacological agents. In recent years, novel noninvasive treatment modalities including extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and low- and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) have been investigated for spasticity management however, robust evidence remains limited.
ESWT is a treatment method applied by focusing high-pressure sound waves produced outside the body on the desired area of the body using a steel-tipped applicator. Patients can resume their daily activities immediately after a treatment session lasting between 5-20 minutes. Scientific researches have demonstrated that ESWT is a safe and effective modality for reducing upper and lower extremity spasticity after stroke.
HILT is a a non-invasive, advanced therapeutic approach that utilizes high-intensity laser technology to promote healing and alleviate pain. It has been widely used in musculoskeletal disorders and generally well tolerated without significant adverse effects. Previous studies suggest that laser application to spastic muscles after stroke may reduce spasticity and pain.
The present study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of ESWT and HILT applied to the calf muscles on spasticity and functional gait parameters only with clinical examination methods in patients with stroke.