Passive stretching

[deby1]

Does passive stretching maintain upper limb range of movement in patients with high tone?

[Heidi]

To my knowledge yes, although this is not an area I specialise in. Regularly stretching the muscle fibresfor periods of 30 plus seconds, can over time, increase joint range of motion.

[deby1]

I have completed a BSc Sports Therapy and i am now reading for a BSc Occupational Therapy. For my final research project, i had opted to answer the following question: Does passive-stretching maintain upper-limb ROM in patients with increased tone? Like you, i would also have answered 'yes'. My reason is based on the following: I worked on a voluntary basis with a boy who experienced increased muscle tone due to CP. I carried out massage and passive stretching three times per week. Over time (e.g. within weeks) the boys range of movement began to improve. Therefore, i am aware that passive stretching can improve ROM. However, of the sixty odd articles which i have obtained so far, most of them either refute or find that there is not enough evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of passive stretching in patients with increased tone.

[Heidi]

ok. I have also found in clinical practice that stretching is extremely beneficial.
Do the studies look at maintaining the increased range after one session? Or is it over a prolonged period with regular stretching?