Objective: To determine the effects of Thai massage on muscle spasticity in young people with cerebral palsy.
Material and Method: Young people with spastic diplegia, aged 6-18 years old, were recruited from the Srisungwan School
in Khon Kaen Province. Spasticity of right quadriceps femoris muscles was measured using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
at pre- and immediately post 30-minute session of Thai massage. Thai massage was applied on the lower back and lower limbs. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the outcome between pre- and post treatment.
Results: Seventeen participants with spastic diplegia aged 13.71+3.62 years old participated. A significant difference of MAS was observed between pre- and post treatment (1+, 1; p<0.01). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: Thai massage decreased muscle spasticity and is suggested to be an alternative treatment for reducing spasticity
in young people with cerebral palsy.

Keywords: Thai massage, Spasticity, Cerebral palsy, Diplegia, Modified ashworth scale