Functional Massage and Eccentric Exercise in Stroke Survivors (FM-EE Stroke)

Effects of Functional Massage Combined With Eccentric Exercise on Muscle Tone and Motor Function of the Lower Limb in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Stroke is currently the leading cause of mortality in women, the second in men and the leading cause of disability in older adults. One of the most challenging sequelae after stroke is increased muscle tone due to spasticity, which alters muscle function. Functional massage therapy focuses on enhancing the function of muscles, joints, and connective tissues to improve movement and reduce pain. On the other hand, eccentric exercise, aids in the recovery of physical functions and is effective in managing spasticity improving muscle coordination and flexibility. It is essential to underline that the strength of evidence regarding these effects is considerable, supporting the implementation of these exercises in post-stroke treatment. In this context, an intervention combining functional massage with eccentric exercise on the lower limb is proposed for stroke survivors in the chronic phase. The goal of this crossover study is to analyze the effects of functional massage combined with eccentric exercise versus eccentric exercise alone on the effects of muscle tone, due to spasticity, of the lower limb in patients with chronic stroke. The Secondary Objectives are to analyze the effects of functional massage combined with eccentric exercise versus eccentric exercise alone on the improvement of ROM of the hip, knee and ankle joints, gait speed, lower limb function, quality of life and reduction of stress, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic stroke. The number of patients to be treated will be 8, the numbers of visits per patient will be 8 at the facilities of the university. Functional massage is a manual therapy technique that combines rhythmic passive mobilization of the joint, together with compression and decompression of the musculature to be treated. Eccentric exercises on lower limb focuses on movements, or phases of a movement, that lengthen the muscles. Some examples of eccentric exercise include lowering into a squat or lowering into a press-up. However, there are few previous studies combining these approaches to reduce spasticity and muscle tone and improve functionality in post-stroke patients. Participation in this study carries minimal risk, which could include events such as ankle endorses or falls during gait speed assessment or during therapeutic exercise. To mitigate these risks, participants will be allowed to use assistive devices such as splints, ankle braces, canes, or crutches during the activities selected for intervention. Importantly, patients in the chronic phase of stroke, and not in the acute phase, are included due to the stability of their condition which allows for safer and more effective participation in the study.

According to the WHO, stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability globally, with an increasing trend in both low- and middle-income countries. The estimated global cost of stroke has exceeded US$721 billion, representing 0.66% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (1). Between 1990 and 2019, there was a substantial increase in the stroke-related burden, with a 70.0% increase in stroke cases, a 43.0% increase in stroke-attributed deaths, a 102.0% increase in prevalent stroke cases, and a 143.0% increase in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). It is noteworthy that the majority of this burden of stroke, with 86.0% of deaths and 89.0% of DALYs, is concentrated in Low Income Countries (LMICs) and Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

Ischemic stroke represents the second leading cause of death worldwide, with a total of 5.9 million deaths. However, a decrease in mortality rates has been observed in women, young people and in regions with a high sociodemographic index. The highest Standardized Mortality Rates (SMRs) and DALYs associated with ischemic stroke have been observed for women, young people and regions with a high sociodemographic index ischemic stroke are mainly concentrated in Central Europe (2). In Spain, stroke ranks first as a specific cause of mortality in women and second in men, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) (3). It is also the leading cause of disability in individuals over 65 years of age. According to INE projections for 2022, it was estimated that more than 24,000 deaths would be related to cerebrovascular diseases.

deaths were estimated to be related to cerebrovascular diseases, with more deaths in women than in men. It is important to note that, despite the decrease in the number of deaths due to cerebrovascular diseases in the last decade, the number of deaths in women is higher than in men. The last decade, the Spanish population's knowledge of stroke is still deficient (4).

Spasticity, as one of the main sequelae after stroke, occurs in approximately 30% of patients (5) and gradually worsens over time in the absence of adequate treatment, producing changes in muscle tissue such as hypertonia. Hypertonia alters motor function. It is defined as body functions related to muscle force and endurance, control over and coordination of voluntary movements, and movement patterns associated with walking, running or other whole body movements.

Likewise, mental health disorders, such as depression, stress or anxiety, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. The three most common mental health disorders after stroke are post-stroke depression, post-stroke anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (6). These disorders often go undetected after a stroke and can have a significant impact on mortality rates. Recent research has shown that mental health disorders after stroke are associated with decreased functional outcomes and reduced quality of life.

However, these disorders continue to be "under-diagnosed and under-treated". Stroke is a common challenge in all countries, and its incidence increases significantly with age. Quality of life assessment can serve both to understand stroke and to measure the effectiveness of post-event rehabilitation (7).

Primary Hypothesis Functional massage combined with eccentric exercise is more effective in reducing muscle tone, due to spasticity, of the lower extremity in patients with chronic phase stroke, compared to those who only perform therapeutic exercise.

Secondary Hypotheses Functional massage combined with eccentric exercise is more effective in improving the range of motion (ROM), gait speed, functionality of the lower extremity in patients in reducing stress, anxiety and depression and improving quality of life with chronic stroke compared to those who only perform eccentric exercise.

Primary Objective To analyze the effects of functional massage combined with eccentric exercise versus therapeutic exercise alone on the improvement of muscle tone, due to spasticity, of the lower extremity in patients with chronic stroke.

Secondary Objectives To analyze the effects of functional massage combined with eccentric exercise versus eccentric exercise alone on the improvement of joint range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee and ankle joints, in increasing gait speed, on the improvement of lower extremity function, in the reduction of stress, anxiety and depression in improving the perception of quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.

Methods The study will be a crossover randomized controlled clinical trial composed of two groups, a group A (n = 4) and a group B (n = 4), single blind (assessor). The intervention will have a duration of 4 weeks per group, in total 8 weeks per participant. The randomization will serve to decide to which group each patient will be assigned, taking into account that this patient will then be assigned, after a bleaching period, to the other intervention. The participant will be assess at baseline (T0) postintervention (T1). Recruitment will take place in specialized neurological rehabilitation centers in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain.

All evaluations and interventions will take place at the facilities of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Sant Cugat campus.

The principal researcher of the study will be in charge of informing both the participants and the center about the details of the study, including: the recruitment method, inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation, objectives, duration, risks and benefits. Participants will be voluntarily recruited by registering for the study through a Google Forms form sent to the center.

Recruitment will start in April 2025 with an expected closure in June 2025. The number of recruits will start with 8 participants, for a pilot trial due to the current scarce scientific evidence and thus initiate a possible line of research with a greater recruitment of patients.

Prior to participation in the trial, the participant or his/her legal representative will obtain a copy of the informed consent, freely given, signed and dated. Once the consent has been signed, the principal investigator will perform an individualized evaluation of each participant to ensure their inclusion in the study, according to the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Method of assignment:

Participants will be assigned to group A (intervention) or group B (control) by means of a concealment system. The concealment of the sequence will be governed by a simple randomization procedure with random number generation by computer. The list generated by the allocation sequence will guarantee a security copy of this and will be delivered to the principal investigator in an opaque envelope, which will be stored under lock and key at the facilities of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), until the end of the allocation process. This measure will guarantee the concealment of the list and avoid any possible bias during the process. Once the process is completed, the principal investigator will be in charge of assigning the interventions to the participants.

Masking:

The study will be governed by a single-blind masking procedure. To avoid efficacy bias in the study results, masking will be performed only to the assessor and will not be blinded to participants or intervenors (physical therapists). In the event of the presence of a serious adverse event related to the health or safety of a participant, the principal investigator should document whether unblinding is permitted. In the event that unblinding or any modification or correction of data occurs, the principal investigator should include the date and initials on the document, without obscuring the original data.

It will be ensured that all information collected during the clinical trial is recorded, managed and archived in a manner that facilitates its accurate communication, interpretation and verification. In addition, the confidentiality of records that may identify the participants will be preserved, in accordance with the applicable legislative regulations and respecting their privacy. To this end, when the patient signs the informed consent form, he/she will be assigned a code that will keep his/her name anonymous.

Intervention procedure:

During the first assessment, participants' personal data, anthropometric data, assessment of lower extremity muscle tone using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the MyotonPRO will be collected. The ROM of the hip, knee and foot joints will also be measured with an inclinometer; gait speed (4 meters); lower extremity motor function with the Fugy-Meyer Scale; level of depression, anxiety and stress with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and quality of life with the EQ-5D-5L Scale. In addition, participants will be provided with a paper log to record their feelings, as well as any adversity experienced, both at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. This log will be collected and stored under lock and key by the evaluators at the end of each session.

Evaluators should have a valid degree in physiotherapy, be registered with the college of physiotherapists and have at least 5 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation.

Material The intervention will require a stretcher where the passive and active functional massage and the pre- and post-intervention assessments that require it will be performed; the MyotonPRO for the assessment of muscle tone; a chair without armrests and without wheels for the eccentric exercise; an inclinometer for assessing the range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee and leg joints; a stopwatch for recording walking speed; a wedge with slight elevation and an anti-slip disk for active eccentric exercise of the lower limb; a wedge with slight elevation and an anti-slip disk for active eccentric exercise of the lower limb; and a chronometer for recording walking speed.

Description of the intervention The intervention will be developed in two phases: in the first phase, group A will receive the intervention, while, in the second phase, this same group will act as the control group. The interventions will be carried out during 4 weeks, 4 sessions per group, with a duration of 90 minutes per session for the intervention group and one session of 45 minutes for the control group. Each session will include eccentric exercise comprising three active eccentric lower limb exercises for all participants. In addition, the intervention group will receive the passive functional massage technique on the lower limb for 30 minutes, according to the patient's tolerance.

In the forth week, group B, initially acting as a control group, will begin to receive the full intervention, incorporating functional massage in addition to the usual eccentric exercise.

In case of illness, cognitive impairment, difficulty in concentration or anxiety during the intervention, the participant will have the option to leave the study at any time. In addition, he/she will be able to rejoin the study, as long as the break period does not exceed 2 weeks.

Data Analysis Evaluation of experimental and statistical results: the selection of the most appropriate statistical software is in progress. However, the intention is to employ a rigorous approach to data analysis, which will probably include the use of regression models. In these models, the study outcomes will be considered as the dependent variable and the intervention group (experimental or control) as the main independent variable. The possibility of including other independent variables through a systematic method of variable selection, such as that proposed by Hosmer and Lemeshow, will also be explored to ensure the robustness of our analyses.

The study variables will be recorded in two time periods: at the beginning of the intervention (T0) and at the end of the intervention, 4 weeks (T1) with the validated scales and instruments . The research team will instruct all physical therapists in the use of the measurement instruments, including the MyotonPro and inclinometer.

Method of assignment:

Participants will be assigned to group A (intervention) or group B (control) by means of a concealment system. The concealment of the sequence will be governed by a simple randomization procedure with random number generation by computer. The list generated by the allocation sequence will guarantee a security copy of this and will be delivered to the principal investigator in an opaque envelope, which will be stored under lock and key at the facilities of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), until the end of the allocation process. This measure will guarantee the concealment of the list and avoid any possible bias during the process. Once the process is completed, the principal investigator will be in charge of assigning the interventions to the participants.

Masking:

The study will be governed by a single-blind masking procedure. To avoid efficacy bias in the study results, masking will be performed only to the evaluator and will not be blinded to participants or interventors (physical therapists). In the event of the presence of a serious adverse event related to the health or safety of a participant, the principal investigator should document whether unblinding is permitted. In the event that unblinding or any modification or correction of data occurs, the principal investigator should include the date and initials on the document, without obscuring the original data.

It will be ensured that all information collected during the clinical trial is recorded, managed and archived in a manner that facilitates its accurate communication, interpretation and verification. In addition, the confidentiality of records that may identify the participants will be preserved, in accordance with the applicable legislative regulations and respecting their privacy. To this end, when the patient signs the informed consent form, he/she will be assigned a code that will keep his/her name anonymous.

Ethical considerations:

Prior to initiation of the trial, foreseeable risks and inconveniences shall be considered in relation to the expected benefit, both to the individual trial subject and to society. The trial should be initiated and continued only if the anticipated benefits justify the risks. The rights, safety, and welfare of the trial participants shall be the most important considerations and shall prevail over the interests of science and society.

The clinical trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki 2024 and guidelines for research involving human subjects. This study will receive approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee and will be registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov Registry.

All participants, including legal guardians, will receive direction from the principal investigator on all aspects of the trial, including written information and Clinical Research Ethics Committee (IRB) approval.

If they wish to participate in the study, they will voluntarily sign a written informed consent statement. Informed written European data protection consent (14) will also be obtained from participants or legal guardians for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in the trial. Participants will be informed that they may leave the study at any time without affecting their usual care.

Impact of the study and expected results At the end of the intervention, significant changes in muscle tone and functionality of the affected lower extremity are expected to be observed in patients with chronic phase stroke who received functional massage and therapeutic exercise, compared to those who received only therapeutic exercise. This combination of massage and therapeutic exercise is designed to improve mobility and reduce increased muscle tone due to spasticity, potentially improving patients' perception of quality of life.

Improved Functionality and Mobility: A marked improvement in the reduction of increased muscle tone in the lower extremity is expected, which should be reflected in improved mobility and functionality in daily activities.

1. Reduction of associated symptoms and improvement of emotional well-being: Functional massage is expected to bring additional benefits in the reduction of associated symptoms such as pain and fatigue, as well as in emotional regulation, contributing to the reduction of depression, stress and anxiety. This could increase the patient's motivation and participation in the rehabilitation process.
2. Impact on perception of quality of life: With the combination of functional massage and eccentric exercise, we seek to substantially improve the quality of life of participants, providing a more comprehensive tool for the management of post-stroke sequelae.
3. Long-term outcome evaluation: In addition, follow-up evaluations are proposed to investigate the sustainability of the benefits observed with additional massage sessions and at different stages of stroke, such as the subacute phase, to better understand the temporality and duration of the effects of the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Both sexes ≥ 18 years of age.
2. Adults who have been diagnosed with an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, according to the diagnostic criteria established by the WHO; corresponding to ICD-11 in January 2022, as confirmed by CT or MRI
3. Stroke ≥ 6 months
4. Hospital discharge
5. Stable condition
6. Ability to understand and follow simple instructions
7. Ability to read, write and speak Spanish or Catalan with acceptable visual and auditory acuity
8. Living in the Barcelona metropolitan area
9. Able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other trial procedures
10. Increased muscle tone in Lower Extremities (EEII) according to the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) grade ≥ 1+ <4 11) Voluntary activation capacity and muscle strength in Lower Extremities (EEII) according to Daniels Scale grade ≥ 3 12) Ability to walk 10 meters, without assistance from third parties. 13) Minimum grade of 7 in depression, 5 in anxiety and 10 in stress according to the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Nervous system disease and/or cardiac, pulmonary dysfunction/failure.
2. History of mental disorders and/or cognitive impairment that make it difficult or impossible to follow instructions ≤ 21 Folstein's Mini Mental Test (MMSE)
3. Hearing impairment
4. History of psychotropic drug use in the last 6 months
5. Consumption of drugs to reduce spasticity or having undergone botulinum toxin treatment in the last 3 months.