Effect of muscle energy technique on triceps surae muscle stiffness in asymptomatic healthy individuals and individuals with triceps surae muscle strain.
Description
ABSTRACT Background: Muscle stiffness is commonly considered as the rigidity in the muscle tissue and depends upon many factors like shape, width, length of the muscle, nature of material and force applied. Any injury and strain altered elastic and biomechanical property of the muscle. The main objective of this study is to compare the effect of muscle energy technique on triceps surae muscle stiffness in asymptomatic healthy individuals and individuals with triceps surae muscle strain. Method: The study design was nonequivalent two group pretest- posttest design. 24 participants with age group between 18 to 50 years were recruited following selection criteria into two different groups. After the baseline assessment participants were allocated into Group 1 (n=15) asymptomatic healthy individuals and Group 2 (n=9) individuals with triceps surae muscle strain; both groups receive muscle energy technique for 3 alternative days per week for 4 weeks. Primary outcome of the study was muscle stiffness which was measured by shear wave elastography (SWE) by experienced radiologist and secondary outcome was ankle joint range of motion measured by Universal Goniometer. Data Analyses: Data were analyzed by using SPSS 16.0 version. The data for normality was evaluated by using Shapiro-Wilk test and data was normally distributed. Independent t test was used to compare the values of outcome measure in between the groups and Paired t test was used for within the groups. Result: After the 4- week of intervention, between group comparison showed significant change in lateral gastrocnemius MS and no significant changes were seen in medial gastrocnemius, soleus and plantarflexion range of motion. Within group comparison showed significant change in plantar flexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius MS in group 1 and in group 2 significant changes were seen in plantar flexion ROM, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and soleus MS. Conclusion: MET was effective to reduce MS in individuals with triceps surae muscle strain and in healthy individuals. Key Words: Ankle joint, Muscle Rigidity, Range of motion, Shear wave elastography, Stiffness.