The effectiveness of muscle energy techniques as an alternative home intervention for nocturnal leg cramps in older adults

Physical therapy; Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Nocturnal Leg Cramps, also known as idiopathic leg cramps or night leg cramps, are involuntary spasms. This is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by suddenly occurring, episodic, persistently painful contractions of the calf, hamstrings, or foot muscles at night. The purpose of the study was to administer the facts in comparing the effectiveness of muscle energy techniques and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity that older adults with nocturnal leg cramps experience. The treatments used were muscle energy techniques and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in determining the frequency, duration and intensity of the nocturnal leg cramps. The treatment involved a continuous 6-week stretching program to compare the effectiveness of both stretching exercises. The pre-test and post-test differences of muscle energy techniques and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation showed that these two treatments were equally effective. Comparing the experimental treatment to a gold standard, the muscle energy technique resulted in a new alternative management for nocturnal leg cramps. The findings fully support the researchers’ theoretical framework. Muscle energy technique resulted in a new alternative treatment for nocturnal leg cramps. The experimental group is effective as an alternative home intervention for nocturnal leg cramps in older adults.

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