Article

Objective: To develop a method for assessment of spasticity, in which the whole range of motion (ROM) at a wide variation of speeds is applied. Design: Cross-sectional design to study construct validity. Setting: Research department affiliated with a rehabilitation hospital in the Netherlands. Participants: Nine patients with complete spinal cord injury recruited from the rehabilitation hospital. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Thirty to 45 stretches over the whole ROM were applied to the triceps surae muscle at varying velocities measuring from 30 degrees to 150 degrees/s. Electromyographic responses were measured in order to assess reflex excitability. The torque over the ankle joint was measured during e whole stretch. The angle and velocity at which the reflex was initiated was also determined. Results: The electromyographic responses increased significantly at increasing stretch velocities (P < .001). The applied maximum angles are reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient, .81) and provide representative torque responses. Conclusions: The assessment method of spasticity using full range passive movements provides objective outcomes. The angular velocity is responsible for an exponential increase in amplitude of the electromyographic response.

Langue : ANGLAIS