Parameters that integrated electrophysiological signals with joint movement characteristics were best able to quantify spasticity .
There were conflicting results regarding biomechanical-based parameters that quantify the resistance to passive stretch .
AIM The first aim of this study was to systematic ally review and critically assess manually controlled instrumented spasticity assessment methods that combine multidimensional signals .
The second aim was to extract a set of quantified parameters that are psychometrically sound to assess spasticity in a clinical setting .
The relation between Ashworth scores and neuromechanical measurements of spasticity following stroke
Background Spasticity is a common impairment that follows stroke , and it results typically in functional loss . For this reason , accurate quantification of spasticity has both diagnostic and therapeutic significance . The most widely used clinical assessment of spasticity is the modified Ashworth scale ( MAS ) , an ordinal scale , but its validity , reliability and sensitivity have often been challenged . The present study addresses this deficit by examining whether quantitative measures of neural and muscular components of spasticity are valid , and whether they are strongly correlated with the MAS . Methods We applied abrupt small amplitude joint stretches and Pseudor and om Binary Sequence ( PRBS ) perturbations to both paretic and non-paretic elbow and ankle joints of stroke survivors . Using advanced system identification techniques , we quantified the dynamic stiffness of these joints , and separated its muscular ( intrinsic ) and reflex components . The correlations between these quantitative measures and the MAS were investigated . Results We showed that our system identification technique is valid in characterizing the intrinsic and reflex stiffness and predicting the overall net torque . Conversely , our results reveal that there is no significant correlation between muscular and reflex torque/stiffness and the MAS magnitude . We also demonstrate that the slope and intercept of reflex and intrinsic stiffnesses plotted against the joint angle are not correlated with the MAS . Conclusion Lack of significant correlation between our quantitative measures of stroke effects on spastic joints and the clinical assessment of muscle tone , as reflected in the MAS suggests that the MAS does not provide reliable information about the origins of the torque change associated with spasticity , or about its contributing components
Parameters that integrated electrophysiological signals with joint movement characteristics were best able to quantify spasticity .
There were conflicting results regarding biomechanical-based parameters that quantify the resistance to passive stretch .
AIM The first aim of this study was to systematic ally review and critically assess manually controlled instrumented spasticity assessment methods that combine multidimensional signals .
The second aim was to extract a set of quantified parameters that are psychometrically sound to assess spasticity in a clinical setting .