Effect of neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment on lower extremity muscle tone in hemiplegic patients with cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the intervention effect and efficacy of neuromuscular joint facilitation （NJF） treatment on the lower extremity muscle tone in hemiplegic patients with cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 136 patients with cerebral infarction were enrolled and divided into the treatment group （n = 66） and control group （n = 70） according to whether NJF treatment was adopted. The lower extremity muscle tone on the hemiplegic side in the two groups was evaluated by the modified Ashworth scale before and 10 d after intervention. The lower extremity motor function on the hemiplegic side was assessed by Brunnstrom stages. The transfer ability of all patients was evaluated according to the amount of assistance needed for transfer （including lying-sitting transfer, sitting-standing transfer）. The balance capability was evaluated by Bobath balance grading. The walking ability was evaluated by Holden functional ambulation category scale （FAC）. Results After 10 d intervention, the lower extremity high muscle tone in the treatment group was reduced by 21.2%, higher than 1.4% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P < 0.001）. The proportion of patients with improved sitting-standing transfer capability in the treatment group was 47.0%, higher compared with 27.1% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P < 0.05）. Conclusion NJF treatment is beneficial to adjust the lower extremity muscle tension to normal level and effectively improve the ability of sitting and standing transfer in hemiplegic patients with cerebral infarction.

Keywords

• |neuromuscular joint facilitation|cerebral infarction|muscle tone|motor function