Table 8.

Characteristics of studies using cryotherapy for the treatment of triceps spasticity after stroke.

Author	Sample	Intervention and dosage	Comparator	Outcomes	Follow-up (months)	Within group difference (over time)	Between group difference after treatment
Alcantara et al. (64) (RCT)	16 (7/9 IG/CG) patients with spasticity for at least 6 months (MAS ≥ 1)	20-min cryotherapy (1 kg ice pack) One single session	CG: 1 kg pack filled with sand at room temperature	MAS Dorsiflexors and plantarflexors strength, gait analysis	n.a.	IG: MAS ↓ Strength, gait parameters ↔ CG: MAS, strength, gait parameters ↔	MAS†
Garcia et al. (65) (RCT)	16 (7/9 IG/CG) patients with spasticity for at least 6 months (MAS ≥ 1)	20-min cryotherapy (1 kg ice pack) One single session	CG: 1 kg pack filled with sand at room temperature	MAS Joint position sense	n.a.	IG: MAS ↓ Joint position sense ↔ CG: MAS, Joint position sense ↔	MAS†
Martins et al. (52) (RCT)	20 patients with spasticity for at least 6 months (MAS ≥ 1)	IG1: 30-min cryotherapy (delivered to the same group on the second day) One single session	IG2: 30-min TENS (100 Hz, 0.06 ms) in the posterior tibialis nerve (applied during the first day) CG: 40 assessments of non-affected limbs before treatment	H/M ratio H-reflex latency, Tibialis anterior EMG activity	n.a.	IG1: H/M ratio, H-reflex latency ↑ Tibialis anterior EMG ↔ IG2: H/M ratio ↓ H-reflex latency, Tibialis anterior EMG ↔ CG: H/M ratio, H-reflex latency, Tibialis anterior EMG ↔	H/M ratio† (CG) H-reflex latency† (CG, IG2)

^↑Statistically significant increase.

^↓Statistically significant decrease.

^↔No statistical difference.

^†IG overcomes comparator (listed in brackets when multiple).

IG, Intervention Group; CG, Control Group; n.a, not available; RCT, Randomized Controlled Trial; MAS, Modified Ashworth Scale; pROM, passive Range of Motion; 6MWT, 6-meter Walking Test.