None of the review ed measurement tools demonstrated satisfactory results for all psychometric properties evaluated , and the majority lacked evidence concerning validity and absolute reliability .
This systematic review found limited evidence to support the use of most of clinical measures of spasticity for people post-stroke .
This review identified various clinical measures of spasticity that have been investigated in people after stroke .
PURPOSE To identify and appraise the literature on clinical measures of spasticity that has been investigated in people after stroke .
Ashworth Scales are unreliable for the assessment of muscle spasticity
Ashworth  Scales  are the most widely used tests to assess the severity of muscle spasticity . These scales offer qualitative and subjective information ; consequently , there are issues concerning validity and reliability . This article presents the results of a study comparing interrater reliability of the original and of the modified Ashworth Scales for measuring muscle spasticity in elbow flexors . Fifteen patients with hemiplegia ( nine men and six women ) with a median age of 52 years ( interquartile range , 28–64 ) participated in this study . Two physiotherapists rated the muscle tone of elbow flexors according to ratings criteria of the  Ashworth and the  modified Ashworth Scales . Kappa values for the original Ashworth  and the modified Ashworth Scales were 0.17 ( SE = 0.21 ; p = 0.41 ) and 0.21 ( SE = 0.12 ; p = 0.08 ) , respectively . The scales showed similar levels of reliability ( χ2 = 0.0285 , df = 1 , p = 0.7 ) . The Ashworth Scales  are not reliable for the assessment of muscle spasticity . In the absence of interrater reliability , the validity of the measurements may also be question ed
None of the review ed measurement tools demonstrated satisfactory results for all psychometric properties evaluated , and the majority lacked evidence concerning validity and absolute reliability .
This systematic review found limited evidence to support the use of most of clinical measures of spasticity for people post-stroke .
This review identified various clinical measures of spasticity that have been investigated in people after stroke .
PURPOSE To identify and appraise the literature on clinical measures of spasticity that has been investigated in people after stroke .