Effect of Myofascial Release With Tennis Ball on Spasticity and Motor Functions

Myofascial release is a therapeutic technique that aims to improve flexibility and sliding between layers of soft tissues, reduce the severity of muscle activity pain, and improve functional performance. A previous study included myofascial release with a tennis ball in the lower extremity in patients with chronic stroke and reported improved balance. Different other unique therapeutic interventions have been proposed over the past two decades for stroke management; however, myofascial release with a tennis ball has not been included in them. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of myofascial release with a tennis ball on spasticity and motor functions of the upper limb in patients with chronic stroke.

Participants were equally divided into two groups viz. experimental and control, with 11 participants in each group.

Inclusion criteria

• Unilateral stroke,
• Hemiplegia with upper extremity dysfunctions of more than 6 months and less than 2 years of duration
• modified Ashworth scale of grade 1-3,
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) >24 suggesting intact cognition,
• full passive range of motion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand joints
• voluntary control by Brunnstrom of grade 3-5 for shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints

Exclusion criteria

• circulatory problems such as deep vein thrombosis,
• impaired sensation over the affected upper limb,
• recently injured area/open wounds,
• arthritic or any other musculoskeletal condition of the upper extremity, shoulder instability based on the posterior or anterior apprehension test, and positive sulcus test,
• history of brain surgery after stroke,
• Botox injection in the past four months,
• medically unstable patients,
• patients who have had multiple strokes.