Immediate effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on muscle tone in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Background: As spasticity in cerebral palsy is the major restriction in the rehabilitation process and the main cause of limb range limitations and joint contractures, we try to follow the pathway of spasticity and make a change from the origin by using a physical agent and trying its effect on muscle tone. Purpose: This study aims to look into how transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) affects children's calf muscle tone immediately following application. Methods: A pilot study of ten children was performed to determine the sample size needed for the randomized control trial. Subjects were divided into two groups: the study group received TENS, and the control group received a sham current. Each subject received TENS on one limb and received the sham current on the other limb at the same time. Muscle tone and range of motion were measured before and after the application of high TENS using a goniometer for measuring range of motion, electromyography, and a modified Ashworth scale for measuring muscle tone. Results: There was a significant increase in the ROM of the study group post-treatment in contrast to the control group's (p < 0.001). There wasn't a significant variation in spasticity and H/M ratio between the study and control groups after the intervention (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The current study provides promising results to prove that there is an effect on the range of motion and muscle tone after applying high TENS. The authors also stand on the sample size for the randomized control trial.