EFFECT OF SUSTAINED PASSIVE STRETCHING VERSUS WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISES ON SPASTICITY OF ELBOW FLEXORS IN HEMIPARETIC INDIVIDUAL

A comparative study was conducted to find out the immediate effect of sustained passive stretching versus weight bearing exercises on spasticity of elbow flexors in Hemiparetic individuals. The study was conducted on 32 subjects. Patients who met with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. They were allotted into 2 groups by using convenience sampling method. A thorough Neurological examination was done. The subjects were scored on the Modified Ashworth Scale before the intervention .After taking assessment of tone ,Sustained passive stretching exercises was given to group A and Weight Bearing exercise was given to Group B both are given for 20 seconds. After that reassessment of tone was taken in both the groups. The result was derived by applying Wilcoxan matched pairs test in the group and Mann Whitney Test in between two groups. The result of study shows that there was a significant improvement in stretching exercises in group A ( P =0.0001). And also significant improvement in Weight Bearing exercises in group B (p=0.0020). When compared between groups, patients showed significant improvement who are receiving sustained passive stretching exercises than weight bearing exercises( P =0.0145).CONCLUSION-Based on the statistical results and interpretations it was concluded that Immediate effect of sustained passive stretching and Weight Bearing Exercises was effective in reducing Spasticity of elbow flexors in hemiparetic individuals. So the alternate hypothesis was accepted and null hypothesis was rejected. And when comparing Sustained Passive Stretching and Weight Bearing Exercises there was significant improvement in Sustained Passive Stretching Exercises group A that weight bearing exercises group B.