{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,7]],"date-time":"2026-05-07T02:16:24Z","timestamp":1778120184475,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,24]],"date-time":"2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758672000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n<jats:title>Aim<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This randomized controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of gastrocnemius functional massage (GFM) combined with neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) on spasticity, gait parameters, and functional mobility in stroke patients.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A total of 28 chronic stroke survivors were randomized into an experimental group (EG, n\u2009=\u200913) and a control group (CG, n\u2009=\u200915). Both groups received NDT twice a week for six weeks, while the EG received additional GFM. Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), gait parameters (LegSys), and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test) were assessed pre- and post-treatment.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>The results showed significant improvements in spasticity within the EG for the hip adductor (p\u2009=\u20090.002), knee extensor (p\u2009=\u20090.006), and ankle plantar flexor muscles (p\u2009=\u20090.002), compared to minimal changes in the CG (p\u2009&gt;\u20090.05). Gait analysis revealed significant improvements in the EG for stride number (p\u2009=\u20090.0001), stride length (p\u2009=\u20090.006), stride time (p\u2009=\u20090.001), and stride velocity (p\u2009=\u20090.002), whereas the CG showed no significant changes (p\u2009&gt;\u20090.05). Functional mobility improvements in the EG included reduced sit-to-stand time (p\u2009=\u20090.021) and total Timed Up and Go time (p\u2009=\u20090.001), indicating enhanced dynamic balance and lower extremity strength.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>These findings suggest that combining GFM with NDT significantly enhances spasticity reduction, gait parameters, and functional mobility in stroke patients. Future studies are needed to explore the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms of this combined approach.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec005\">\n<jats:title>Clinical trial registration<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This study was registered at <jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" ext-link-type=\"uri\" xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\" xlink:type=\"simple\">www.clinicaltrials.gov<\/jats:ext-link> under the identification number NCT06265753.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0332308","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,24]],"date-time":"2025-09-24T17:30:02Z","timestamp":1758735002000},"page":"e0332308","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Effects of gastrocnemius functional massage on lower extemity spasticity, spatio- temporal gait variables and fall risk in patients with stroke: A randomized 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