The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (rESWT) is effective in reducing ankle plantar flexor spasticity and improving walking functions in stroke patients who have already received Botulinum Toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does adding rESWT to standard physical therapy significantly lower muscle spasticity in patients who have received BoNT-A, compared to receiving physical therapy alone after the injection? * Does combining rESWT with BoNT-A injection improve functional walking parameters (such as gait speed, cadence, and step length) and daily life independence more than the BoNT-A and physical therapy combination alone? * Can rESWT induce additional structural and flexibility improvements in the BoNT-A injected gastrocnemius muscle, as measured objectively by ultrasound imaging and strain elastography?
Researchers will compare a group of participants receiving both rESWT and conventional physical therapy (Group 1) to a comparison group receiving only conventional physical therapy (Group 2) to see if rESWT provides additional clinical benefits. All participants in both groups will have already undergone routine BoNT-A injections one week prior to starting the study treatments.
Participants will:
* Undergo a 3-week conventional physical therapy and rehabilitation program, consisting of 2 to 3 hours of therapy per day, 5 days a week. * Receive 3 weekly sessions of rESWT (2000 pulses per session applied to the calf muscles) if they are randomized into the rESWT group. * Attend clinical evaluation visits and objective assessment sessions-including high-tech computerized gait analysis and specialized musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging-before the treatment, at the end of the 3rd week, and at a 12-week follow-up.
Diagnosis of stroke according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1989) definition.
Stroke diagnosis confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Patients aged between 18 and 65 years.
Clinically stable condition after stroke.
Presence of fixed contracture at the ankle joint.
History of prior antispastic surgical procedures.
Changes in antispastic medication dosage or type within the last 6 months.
Active infection or malignancy at the application site.
Parallel
Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (rESWT)
DeviceApplied 1 week after the routine Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT-A) injection. Patients receive 3 sessions (once a week for 3 weeks) of rESWT to the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscle in the prone position with knee in full extension and ankle in neutral. Dose parameters: 2000 pulses per session, 5 Hz frequency, and 60 mJ (1 bar) energy level using a 15 mm transmitter head (calculated energy flux density: 0.340 mJ/mm²).
Conventional Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Other interventionA 3-week comprehensive rehabilitation program performed 2-3 hours per day, 5 days a week. The program includes passive/active range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, progressive resistive exercises, positioning, postural control, weight-shifting, balance training, gait training, occupational therapy, and speech therapy based on individual patient needs.
Change from Baseline in Muscle Spasticity Grade using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
The MAS is a clinical scale used to assess resistance to passive movement in a joint affected by spasticity. Scores range from 0 to 4 (with an additional 1+ score), where 0 indicates no increase in muscle tone and 4 indicates the affected part is rigid in flexion or extension. Higher scores represent greater muscle spasticity.
Change from Baseline in Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (ROM)
Measured in degrees using a standard universal goniometer. The measurement will be taken with the patient in the supine position and the knee fully extended to better demonstrate the gastrocnemius muscle restriction. Higher degrees indicate better range of motion.
Change from Baseline in Activities of Daily Living Using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI)
The MBI is used to assess the patient's level of independence in 10 activities of daily living. Total scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores reflect greater independence.
Change from Baseline in Lower Extremity Motor Function Using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Lower Extremity (FMA-LE)
The FMA-LE is an index designed to assess sensorimotor impairment post-stroke. The lower extremity subscale consists of items scoring reflexes, voluntary movements, and coordination, with total scores ranging from 0 to 34. Higher scores indicate better motor function.
Change from Baseline in Muscle Fibrotic Alterations Using the Modified Heckmatt Scale
visual ultrasound grading scale used to evaluate echogenic changes and fibrotic levels in the spastic muscle tissue. Scores range from Grade 1 (normal muscle echogenicity) to Grade 4 (very strong muscle echogenicity with complete loss of bone echo). Higher grades indicate increased fibrotic changes and muscle echo intensity.
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