Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term efficacy of 2 dosages of stretching
treatment on the clinical outcomes in infants with congenital muscular
torticollis. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized controlled study. Fifty
infants with congenital muscular torticollis who were randomly assigned to
100-times stretching group and 50-times stretching group received stretching
treatment for the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle.
The outcomes including the
head tilt, the cervical passive range of motion, and the muscle function of
cervical lateral flexors determined by the muscle function scale were assessed at
baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. The sternocleidomastoid muscle
growth analyzed by the thickness ratio of sternocleidomastoid muscles was
measured using ultrasonography at baseline and 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS:
Except the ratio of muscle function scale scores, the postintervention outcomes
were all significantly improved in both groups compared with baseline (P < 0.05).
The 100-times stretching group showed greater improvement compared with 50-times
stretching group in head tilt and cervical passive range of motion at 4 and 8
weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Stretching treatment of 2 dosages
may effectively improve head tilt, cervical passive range of motion, and
sternocleidomastoid muscle growth in infants with congenital muscular
torticollis. The stretching treatment of 100 times per day is likely to associate
with greater improvement in head tilt and cervical passive range of motion.

Langue : ANGLAIS