Article

The Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) is a clinical instrument for
measuring spasticity. Few studies have been performed on the reliability of the
MMAS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the intrarater reliability
of the MMAS for the assessment of spasticity in the lower limb. We conducted a
test-retest study on spasticity in the hip adductors, knee extensors, and ankle
plantar flexors. Each patient was measured by a hospital-based clinical
physiotherapist. Twenty-three patients with stroke or multiple sclerosis
(fourteen women, nine men) and a mean +/- standard deviation age of 37.3 +/- 14.1
years participated. The weighted kappa was moderate for the hip adductors
(weighted kappa = 0.45, standard error [SE] = 0.16, p = 0.007), good for the knee
extensors (weighted kappa = 0.62, SE = 0.12, p < 0.001), and very good for the
ankle plantar flexors (weighted kappa = 0.85, SE = 0.05, p < 0.001). The kappa
value for overall agreement was very good (weighted kappa = 0.87, SE = 0.03, p <
0.001). The reliability for the ankle plantar flexors was significantly higher
than that for the hip adductors. The intrarater reliability of the MMAS in
patients with lower-limb muscle spasticity was very good, and it can be used as a
measure of spasticity over time.

Langue : ANGLAIS