Introduction: Contractures are common secondary consequence of stroke which cause a decrease of range of motion and affects the lifestyle of an individual. Their formation begins early after stroke. Stretching is a physiotherapeutic procedure designed to improve flexibility and range of motion by increasing soft tissue extensibility and is a commonly used method for the prevention and reduction of contracture in post stroke patients. Different methods of stretching are used. Purpose: To determine and compare effectiveness of different methods of stretching for the prevention and reduction of contracture in patients post stroke. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted in databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro and Ceochrane Library. Results: Ten studies were analyzed with a period of stretching of four to 14 weeks in upper limb. In five studies was observed the effect of positioning, in four the effect of use of splints and in one study the effect of stretching device on contracture in post stroke patients. Positioning did not prove to be more effective for reducing pain, spasticity and increasing independence in activity of daily living compared to the treatment of the comparative group in all five studies. The results of these studies on the effectiveness on range of motion and functional abilities of upper limb are contradictory. Also, the results of use of splints at the effect on range of motion and reducing pain are contradictory. There is no statistically significant result in reduction of spasticity and increasing independence in activities of dailyliving in none of these four studies. Stretching with the device has been shown to be effective for reducing spasticity and improving functional abilities, while it have no effect on range of motion. Conclusion: Due to the low number of studies for individual methods of stretching, and other factors (for example, the difference in the treatment of experimental and comparative group) it is difficult to conclude on the actual efficacy of a particular method when treating the contracture in post stroke patients. Given that individual methods have proven to be effective in individual areas of outcomes in a shorter period of time, it would be wise to investigate the effectiveness of their combinations. High-quality studies on the effectiveness of stretching in lower limb in post stroke patients are necessary.
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