| Objective: To study the effect of passive stepping of lower limbs in two different positions on spasticity of lower hemiplegia extremities in stroke patients. Methods: Sixty six stroke patients were randomly divided into the vertical (n=35) and sitting (n=31) passively stepping training groups. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation, and the passively stepping in the sitting or upright positions. The muscle (triceps surae, quadriceps and hamstrings ) of each group was assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale before, 30 min and 4 weeks after training. Results: Thirty min after training, the Modified Ashworth scores of the triceps surae in both groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups. Four weeks after training, the scores of all muscles in two groups except quadriceps in sitting group were decreased obviously (P<0.05). The scores of triceps surae in vertical group were decreased more significantly than those of sitting group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both positioned training could relieve the muscle spasticity of hemiplegic lower limbs in stroke patients, and passive stepping training in upright position had better effect in alleviating the spasticity of triceps surae muscle. |
