Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

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A Comparative Study of effectiveness between Superficial Heat and Deep Heat along with Static Stretching to Improve the Plantar Flexors Flexibility in Females Wearing High Heel Foot Wears


Affiliations
1 U. N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India
2 SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat, India
     

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Background: Lower extremity overuse injuries commonly occurs due to decreased flexibility of plantar flexor muscles in females wearing high heeled foot wears. Plantar flexors shortening are treated by various physiotherapeutic techniques. Superficial heat (moist heat) and Deep heat (ultra sound) along with static stretching are treatment techniques used in physiotherapy.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of superficial heat and Deep heat in combination with static stretching in improving the plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heeled footwears.

Method: The study included a sample of 40 individuals those who were wearing high heel > 2 inch. Out of that 20 individuals were in superficial heating group (group A) where moist heat was administered for 15 minutes to Achilles tendon, and remaining 20 individuals were in deep heating group (group B) where continuous ultrasound with frequency of 1 MHz at an intensity of 1.5 W/Cm2 was administered for 7 minutes to the Achilles tendon. Both the groups received 30 seconds of static stretch with 4 repetitions performed 5 times per week. The duration of entire study was 3 weeks and both the group received 1 session per day. Analysis was based on the Goniometer test score.

Result: Both the group A and group B showed improvement in ankle ROM postintervention when compared with preintervention measurement and 't'calculated value for pre-postintervention measures was statistically significant as it was above the 't' tabulated value. Moreover, Mean±SD of pre-post difference in right ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 2.90±1.37 and for group B was 4.25±0.85 and Mean±SD of pre-post difference in left ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 3.60±1.04 and for group B was 4.35±0.74. 't'calculated value for pre-post ROM difference was statistically significant as it was above the 't' tabulated value of 1.96.

Interpretation & Conclusion: There was significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion both the treatment programs are highly significant and effective in improving the ankle joint ROM, but ultrasound with deep heating property was found to be more superior as compared to moist heat pack with superficial heating property in improving plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heel foot wears.


Keywords

Flexibility, Ultrasound Therapy, Moist Heat, Static Stretching
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  • A Comparative Study of effectiveness between Superficial Heat and Deep Heat along with Static Stretching to Improve the Plantar Flexors Flexibility in Females Wearing High Heel Foot Wears

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Authors

Hasmukh Patel
U. N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India
Dhaval Desai
SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat, India
Harshit Soni
SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat, India
Komal Soni
SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat, India
Chintan Shah
SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat, India

Abstract


Background: Lower extremity overuse injuries commonly occurs due to decreased flexibility of plantar flexor muscles in females wearing high heeled foot wears. Plantar flexors shortening are treated by various physiotherapeutic techniques. Superficial heat (moist heat) and Deep heat (ultra sound) along with static stretching are treatment techniques used in physiotherapy.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of superficial heat and Deep heat in combination with static stretching in improving the plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heeled footwears.

Method: The study included a sample of 40 individuals those who were wearing high heel > 2 inch. Out of that 20 individuals were in superficial heating group (group A) where moist heat was administered for 15 minutes to Achilles tendon, and remaining 20 individuals were in deep heating group (group B) where continuous ultrasound with frequency of 1 MHz at an intensity of 1.5 W/Cm2 was administered for 7 minutes to the Achilles tendon. Both the groups received 30 seconds of static stretch with 4 repetitions performed 5 times per week. The duration of entire study was 3 weeks and both the group received 1 session per day. Analysis was based on the Goniometer test score.

Result: Both the group A and group B showed improvement in ankle ROM postintervention when compared with preintervention measurement and 't'calculated value for pre-postintervention measures was statistically significant as it was above the 't' tabulated value. Moreover, Mean±SD of pre-post difference in right ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 2.90±1.37 and for group B was 4.25±0.85 and Mean±SD of pre-post difference in left ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 3.60±1.04 and for group B was 4.35±0.74. 't'calculated value for pre-post ROM difference was statistically significant as it was above the 't' tabulated value of 1.96.

Interpretation & Conclusion: There was significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion both the treatment programs are highly significant and effective in improving the ankle joint ROM, but ultrasound with deep heating property was found to be more superior as compared to moist heat pack with superficial heating property in improving plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heel foot wears.


Keywords


Flexibility, Ultrasound Therapy, Moist Heat, Static Stretching

References