Acute effect of ultrasound on the spatial pattern of the biceps brachii in individuals with neurological disorders
Acute effect of ultrasound on the spatial pattern of the biceps brachii in individuals with neurological disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i2.2025.1706Keywords:
Therapeutic Ultrasound, Spasticity, Neurological Disorders, Surface Electromyography, Muscle Tone.Abstract
Spasticity is a common neuromuscular dysfunction observed in various neurological conditions, characterized by an abnormal increase in muscle tone and resistance to passive movement, which negatively impacts functionality and quality of life. Owing to its thermal and mechanical effects, therapeutic ultrasound has emerged as a potential modality to assist in spasticity management. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound on the spasticity of the biceps brachii muscle in individuals with different neurological disorders. The sample consisted of seven participants presenting spasticity in the biceps brachii muscle, who were evaluated using electromyography and ultrasonography before and after the intervention. The intervention protocol involved a single application of continuous-mode therapeutic ultrasound at a frequency of 1 MHz, intensity of 0.8 W/cm², 4 ERAS, and a duration of 10 minutes. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0, applying descriptive statistics and the nonparametric Wilcoxon paired-sample test, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Following the therapeutic ultrasound application to the spastic muscle, a trend toward reduced muscle activity and increased muscle thickness was observed. Statistically significant differences were identified for right isotonia and left maximal voluntary contraction. In conclusion, the acute application of therapeutic ultrasound could promote significant changes in muscle tone in two of the clinical conditions analyzed among individuals with neurological disorders. Nevertheless, a clinical trend toward improved spasticity control was observed, suggesting the need for studies with larger samples and repeated interventions to confirm these preliminary findings.
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Copyright (c) 2025 João Sávio Carneiro Silva, Letícia Costa Mengoni, Gabriel Pádua da Silva, Wellington Marcelo Queixas Moreira, Oswaldo Luiz Stamato Taube, Bruno Ferreira (Autor)
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