Effects of cryotherapy on tonic adequacy upper limb hemiparesis after stroke
Keywords:
stroke, hemiparesis, active exercise, cryotherapy, spasticity.Abstract
Introduction: After stroke more than 80% of survivors have hemiparesis associated with muscle weakness. It is cited
as a major deficiency, responsible for reducing the functional use of the paretic upper limb. Spasticity, altered muscle
tone caused by injury to the upper neuron bike, is present in most patients who suffer strokes, causes resistance to
speed-dependent mobilization, the individual providing significant motor changes, which lead to the difficulty of movement, limiting activities of daily living, especially in manual tasks. Objective: This study aims to analyze the effect of
cryotherapy before carrying out exercises cinesioterapêuticos in hemiparetic patients. Methods: Among the existing
resources on physical therapy the adequacy of as spasticity, cryotherapy is the use of cold to promote relaxation of the
site to be treated allowing active progressive exercise becomes pain free and with good range of motion. In the case
of patients suffering from stroke, cryotherapy may reduce muscle atrophy, because it can tailor the tone for the move
takes place. Results: After assessment all patients increased their level of functional independence, both the FuglMeyer assessement and Functional Independence Measure, with physical therapy associated with the use of ice. Conclusion: New research may prove the efficacy of ice in reducing spasticity in post-stroke patients.