Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

The effects of Therapeutic Application of Heat or Cold Followed by Static Stretch on Hamstring Flexibility Post Burn Contracture


Affiliations
1 Physical Therapy Department for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
2 Naser Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the best warming up modality prior to static stretching exercises to increase flexibility in post burn contracture of the hamstring muscle, as measured by knee extension range of motion.

Materials and methods: Thirty male patients ranging in age from 18 to 27 years and who had decreased hamstring muscle flexibility as a result of partial thickness burn were classified into 3 equal groups 10 of each, Group (1): received 1 minutes of stretching exercise in addition to ultrasound , Group (2): received 1 minutes of stretching exercise in addition to cold application. And Group (3): received 1 minutes of sating stretching only. All groups received stretching exercises 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of knee extension range of motion were conducted before treatment, post 2 weeks of treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results: The one way analysis of variance was used to compare knee extension range of motion which revealed that both treatment group (ultrasound and cold application) had significant (P< 0.05) gains in knee extension ROM after 2 and 4 weeks post stretching exercises.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that either deep hot or cold application in addition to stretching exercise is more effective than static stretching alone to improve a hamstring muscle.


Keywords

Burn, Contracture, Range of motion, Ultrasound, Cold application, Flexibility
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Mosby’s Dictionary. 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc.; 2002.

  • Palmieri TL, Petuskey K, Bagley A, et al. Alterations in functional movement after axillary burn scar contracture: a motion analysis study. J Burn Care Rehabil 2003;24:104–8.

  • Kowalske KJ, Voege JR, Cromes GF Jr., et al. The relationship between upper extremity contractures and functional outcome after burn injury (abstr). Proc Am Burn Assoc 1996;28:55.

  • Nisanci M., Ergin E.R., Selcuk I. & Mustafa S.: Treatment modalities for post burn axillary contractures and the versatility of the scapular flap. Burns, 28: 177-180, 2002.

  • Stanish WD, Hubley-Kozey CL: Neurophysiology of stretching. In: D’ Ambrosia R, Drez D (eds), Prevention and Treatment of Running Injuries, Thorofare, NJ: Slack, 1989.

  • Warren CG, Lehmann JF, Koblanski JN: Elongation of rat tail tendon: Effect of load and temperature. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 52:465-472, 1971.

  • Wessling D, DeVane D, Hylton C: Effects of static stretch versus static stretch and ultrasound combined on triceps surae muscle extensibility in healthy women. Phys Ther 67:674-679, 1987.

  • Noonan TI, Best TM, Seaber AV, Garrett WE: Thermal effects on skeletal muscle tensile behavior. Am J Sports Med 2 1 :5 17-522, 1993.

  • Strickler T, Malone T, Garrett WE: The effects of passive warming on muscle injury. Am J Sports Med 18:141-145, 1990.

  • Fruhstorfer H, Hermanns M, Latzke L: The effects of thermal stimulation on clinical and experimental itch. Pain 24:259-269, 1986

  • Gajdosik RL: Effects of static stretching on the maximal length and resistance to passive stretch of short hamstring muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 14:250-255, 1991.

  • Henricson AS, Fredriksson K, Persson I ,Pereira R, Rostedt Y, Westlin N: The effect of heat and stretching on the range of hip motion. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 13:110-115, 1984.

  • Wessling D, DeVane D, Hylton C: Effects of static stretch versus static stretch and ultrasound combined on triceps surae muscle extensibility in healthy women. Phys Ther 67:674-679, 1987.

  • Lehmann JF, Masock AJ, Warren CG, Koblanski J: Effect of therapeutic temperatures on tendon extensibility. Arch Phys Med Rehabil51:481-485, 1970.

  • Fischer E, Solomon S: Physiological responses to heat and cold. In: Licht S(ed), Therapeutic Heat and Cold (2nd Ed), pp 126-1 69. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, 1965.

  • Brodowicz, g.r., r. Welsh, and j. Wallis. Comparison stretching with ice, stretching with heat, or stretching alone on hamstring flexibility. J. Athletic Train. 31(4):324–327. 1996.

  • Knuttsson E, Mattsson I: Effects of local cooling on monosynaptic reflexes in man. Scand J Rehabil Med 1 :126-132,1969

  • Newton RA: Effects of vapocoolants on passive hip flexion in healthy subjects. Phys Ther 65: 1034 - 1036, 1985.


Abstract Views: 476

PDF Views: 0




  • The effects of Therapeutic Application of Heat or Cold Followed by Static Stretch on Hamstring Flexibility Post Burn Contracture

Abstract Views: 476  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Emad T. Ahmed
Physical Therapy Department for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
Safa S. Abdelkarim
Naser Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract


Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the best warming up modality prior to static stretching exercises to increase flexibility in post burn contracture of the hamstring muscle, as measured by knee extension range of motion.

Materials and methods: Thirty male patients ranging in age from 18 to 27 years and who had decreased hamstring muscle flexibility as a result of partial thickness burn were classified into 3 equal groups 10 of each, Group (1): received 1 minutes of stretching exercise in addition to ultrasound , Group (2): received 1 minutes of stretching exercise in addition to cold application. And Group (3): received 1 minutes of sating stretching only. All groups received stretching exercises 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of knee extension range of motion were conducted before treatment, post 2 weeks of treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results: The one way analysis of variance was used to compare knee extension range of motion which revealed that both treatment group (ultrasound and cold application) had significant (P< 0.05) gains in knee extension ROM after 2 and 4 weeks post stretching exercises.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that either deep hot or cold application in addition to stretching exercise is more effective than static stretching alone to improve a hamstring muscle.


Keywords


Burn, Contracture, Range of motion, Ultrasound, Cold application, Flexibility

References