Article

Spasticity is often clinically assessed with the Tardieu Scale, using
goniometry to measure the range of motion and angle of catch. However, the
test-retest and inter-rater reliability of these measurements have been
questioned. Inertial sensors (IS) have been developed to measure orientation in
space and are suggested to be a more appropriate tool than goniometry to measure
angles in Tardieu Scale measurements. OBJECTIVE: To compare the test-retest and
inter-rater reliability of Tardieu Scale scores measured with IS and goniometry.
METHODS: Two physiotherapists performed Tardieu Scale measurements in two
sessions, using both goniometry and IS, to quantify spasticity in elbow flexors
of 13 stroke patients. RESULTS: For goniometry, test-retest and inter-rater
reliability proved to be excellent (ICC 0.86) and fair to good (ICC 0.66),
respectively. For IS, both test-retest (ICC 0.76) and inter-rater reliability
(ICC 0.84) were excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Inertial sensors are reliable and
accurate to use in Tardieu Scale measurements to quantify spasticity in the elbow
flexors of hemiplegic stroke patients.
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