Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a newly developed portable instrument (the
Electric Spastic Ankle Measure (E-SAM)) to quantitatively measure ankle plantar
flexor muscle tone and spasticity. DESIGN: Comparison of quantitative
measurements of the E-SAM with those obtained manually with the Modified Ashworth
Scale (MAS). PARTICIPANTS: Seven adult men with stroke of more than 8 months'
duration with a MAS score of 3, and 7 healthy age-matched control subjects. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative measurements of the reactive and viscoelastic
components of muscle tonus and spasticity. RESULTS: Analysis of the pooled data
of all subjects revealed 2 components: an initial negative peak (indicating
visco-elasticity), and subsequent positive peaks (denoting reactive contractions
of the plantar flexor muscles). Positive, reactive contraction, peaks of the
subjects with stroke were significantly higher than those of age-matched controls
(p<0.01, t-test). CONCLUSION: The E-SAM appears to provide meaningful information
on muscle tone and spasticity that is more specific and quantitative than that
obtained with the MAS. While further study is necessary, this instrument shows
promise as an easy-to-use clinical and research tool for the measurement of
spasticity and muscle viscosity.

Langue : ANGLAIS