Effect of Continuous Therapeutic Ultrasound and Stretching Exercise on Calf Muscle Cramp during Pregnancy

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous ultrasound and stretching exercise on calf muscle cramp during pregnancy.
Design: Randomized clinical trial.
Subjects and Methods: Thirty volunteers' pregnant women suffering from calf muscle cramp assigned into two equal groups. Their ages were ranged from 20-35 years.
This study conducted at Nahea Family Medical Center, Giza, Egypt.
Intervention: Group (A) received continuous ultrasound with frequency 1MHz, intensity 1.5w/cm2, 5 minutes in each session and stretching exercise of calf muscle by 15 seconds of passive stretch to the calf muscle followed by 30 seconds of rest with repetition 6 times per session with instructions about dealing with cramp by self slow sustained stretch. Group (B): Received the same instructions about dealing with cramp with self slow sustained stretch for calf muscle. Treatment sessions were applied 3 times/week for 4 weeks for two groups.
Outcome Measures: Cramp questionnaire with description of muscle cramps with visual analogue scale was used to assess severity of pain. Evaluation was performed before and after treatment.
Results: There was no significant difference between control and study group in pre and post treatment in exagger-ating factors, localization, and duration of cramp. There was significant difference between study group and control group in frequency, time of having cramp and quality of life deteri-oration.
Conclusion: Stretching exercise is effective in treating calf cramp during pregnancy and adding ultrasound to stretch is making significant difference than stretching alone in decreasing the frequency of cramps, time of having cramps and in decreasing the deterioration of life quality.