The effects of traditional Thai massage, herbal compress, and physical therapy on muscle strength levels in stroke patients in Pho Tak District, Nong Khai Province.

Abstract

      This study investigated the effects of traditional Thai massage, herbal compress, and physiotherapy on muscle strength in stroke patients in Pho Tak District, Nong Khai Province. The objectives were to study the effects of traditional Thai massage and herbal compress combined with physiotherapy on muscle strength in stroke patients in Pho Tak District, Nong Khai Province. This was a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design with a single group, conducted from March 2026 to May 2026 (3 months). The sample consisted of 11 stroke patients from Pho Tak District, Nong Khai Province, who received services at Pho Tak Hospital, Nong Khai Province. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Willcoxon matched paired.

      The study found that, based on assessments of muscle strength (Manual Muscle Testing: MMT), muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale: MAS), and ability to perform daily activities (Modified Barthel Index: MBI) before and after traditional Thai massage and herbal compress combined with physical therapy, 6 patients (54.54%) showed improvement. There was a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between pre- and post-treatment assessments of traditional Thai massage and herbal compress combined with physical therapy, with improvement seen in 6 patients compared to 1 patient. This is attributed to the positive effects of traditional Thai massage and herbal compress combined with physical therapy on muscle strength in stroke patients in Pho Tak District, Nong Khai Province.