RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Thai massage on muscle spasticity in young people with cerebral palsy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Young people with spastic diplegia, aged 6-18 years old, were recruitedfrom the Srisungwan School in Khon Kaen Province. Spasticity of right quadriceps femoris muscles was measured using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) at pre- and immediately post 30-minute session of Thai massage. Thai massage was applied on the lower back and lower limbs. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the outcome between pre- and post treatment. RESULTS: Seventeen participants with spastic diplegia aged 13.71 +/- 3.62 years old participated. A significant difference of MAS was observed between pre- and post treatment (1+, 1; p<0.01). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Thai massage decreased muscle spasticity and is suggested to be an alternative treatmentfor reducing spasticity in young people with cerebral palsy.
