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 .
Evaluation of reflex- and nonreflex-induced muscle resistance to stretch in adults with spinal cord injury using hand-held and isokinetic dynamometry.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In this study , we compared the intertrial reliability of resistive torque measurements obtained with h and -held and isokinetic dynamometers and examined the validity of the h and -held dynamometers for the assessment of spastic hypertonia , defined as reflex- and nonreflex-induced resistance to stretch . SUBJECTS Nine subjects ( mean age = 40.6 years ) with a chronic ( 1 - 5 years ) spinal cord injury participated . METHODS The plantar flexors were stretched at 5 degrees /s ( low velocity [ LV ] ) and 180 degrees /s ( high velocity [ HV ] ) with an isokinetic dynamometer while the evaluator attempted to match these velocities with a h and -held dynamometer .  Electromyographic activity of the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles as well as ankle displacements were recorded . Resistive torque and velocity , measured at -5 degrees of dorsiflexion , were averaged ( n = 4 ) . RESULTS High intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICCs ) were found at LV and HV for both the h and -held ( ICC = .93 and .84 ) and isokinetic ( ICC = .99 and .93 ) dynamometers . With the h and -held dynamometer , lower resistive torques were found at LV ( 0.8 N.m ) and HV ( 1.2 N.m ) , whereas higher velocities were attained at HV . CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION The results indicate that the reproducibility of resistive torques obtained with h and -held dynamometry compares with that obtained with isokinetic dynamometry and allows testing of velocities that can be adjusted to the specific level of resistance to stretch . Electromyography confirmed the validity of h and -held dynamometry for assessing reflex and nonreflex components of SH . [ Lamontagne A , Malouin F , Richards CL , Dumas F. Evaluation of reflex- and nonreflex-induced muscle resistance to stretch in adults with spinal cord injury using h and -held and isokinetic dynamometry
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 .