Abstract
Aim: The aim of the pilot study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation according to Jantsch on spasticity and gait in patients with multiple sclerosis. Materials and methods: 15 patients (13 women and 2 men), aged 35 to 72 (51.2 ?? 10.32) years, with spastic paraparesis of the lower limbs due to multiple sclerosis were involved in the study.
Patients were randomly divided into two groups: 8 patients were included in the experimental group with electrostimulation according to Jantsch, while 7 were included in the control group who did not receive electrostimulation. Both groups received the identical rehabilitation program during hospitalization at the inpatient rehabilitation department, while the experimental group subjects received additional electrostimulation, which was applied once per day to both spastic lower limbs.
The Gracies scale was used to quantify spasticity and the 10 Meter Walk and Timed Up and Go tests were used to evaluate gait. Results: The immediate effect of electrostimulation according to Jantsch on reducing spasticity of the triceps surae muscle group and facilitating the active movement of the tibialis anterior muscle was confirmed.
A positive trend to reduce spasticity with repeated electrostimulation was found, but the intergroup difference was not significant. Neither group demonstrated a significant effect of rehabilitation on walking speed.
Conclusion: Electrostimulation according to Jantsch significantly reduces spasticity of the triceps surae muscle group and increases the active range of foot dorsiflexion in patients with multiple sclerosis immediately after electrostimulation.