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Guo X, Wallace R, Tan Y, Oetomo D, Klaic M, Crocher V. Technology-assisted assessment of spasticity: a systematic review. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2022; 19:138. [PMID: 36494721 PMCID: PMC9733065 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-01115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spasticity is defined as "a motor disorder characterised by a velocity dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes (muscle tone) with exaggerated tendon jerks". It is a highly prevalent condition following stroke and other neurological conditions. Clinical assessment of spasticity relies predominantly on manual, non-instrumented, clinical scales. Technology based solutions have been developed in the last decades to offer more specific, sensitive and accurate alternatives but no consensus exists on these different approaches. METHOD A systematic review of literature of technology-based methods aiming at the assessment of spasticity was performed. The approaches taken in the studies were classified based on the method used as well as their outcome measures. The psychometric properties and usability of the methods and outcome measures reported were evaluated. RESULTS 124 studies were included in the analysis. 78 different outcome measures were identified, among which seven were used in more than 10 different studies each. The different methods rely on a wide range of different equipment (from robotic systems to simple goniometers) affecting their cost and usability. Studies equivalently applied to the lower and upper limbs (48% and 52%, respectively). A majority of studies applied to a stroke population (N = 79). More than half the papers did not report thoroughly the psychometric properties of the measures. Analysis identified that only 54 studies used measures specific to spasticity. Repeatability and discriminant validity were found to be of good quality in respectively 25 and 42 studies but were most often not evaluated (N = 95 and N = 78). Clinical validity was commonly assessed only against clinical scales (N = 33). Sensitivity of the measure was assessed in only three studies. CONCLUSION The development of a large diversity of assessment approaches appears to be done at the expense of their careful evaluation. Still, among the well validated approaches, the ones based on manual stretching and measuring a muscle activity reaction and the ones leveraging controlled stretches while isolating the stretch-reflex torque component appear as the two promising practical alternatives to clinical scales. These methods should be further evaluated, including on their sensitivity, to fully inform on their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinliang Guo
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XUoM and Fourier Intelligence Joint Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rebecca Wallace
- grid.416153.40000 0004 0624 1200Allied Health Department, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ying Tan
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XUoM and Fourier Intelligence Joint Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Denny Oetomo
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XUoM and Fourier Intelligence Joint Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marlena Klaic
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vincent Crocher
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XUoM and Fourier Intelligence Joint Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Spasticity Measurement Tools and Their Psychometric Properties Among Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review. Pediatr Phys Ther 2022; 34:449-463. [PMID: 35943394 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify and appraise the literature on the psychometric properties of spasticity measures that have been used among children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 5 databases. Two independent reviewers screened the literature search results for relevant studies. Reviewers extracted the data using a standardized form and study quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool. RESULTS A total of 44 studies met the selection criteria and were included. We identified 22 different spasticity assessment tools, with different levels of evidence regarding their psychometric properties. CONCLUSION The findings of the current review indicate that there is limited evidence to recommend 1 spasticity assessment method for children and adolescents with CP. Spasticity assessment in its current state lacks a method that possesses the necessary psychometric properties and is easily used in the clinical setting.
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Tanikawa H, Mukaino M, Itoh S, Kondoh H, Fujimura K, Teranishi T, Ohtsuka K, Hirano S, Kagaya H, Saitoh E, Otaka Y. Development of a simple mechanical measurement method to measure spasticity based on an analysis of a clinical maneuver and its concurrent validity with the modified Ashworth scale. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:911249. [PMID: 36046668 PMCID: PMC9420860 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.911249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite recent developments in the methodology for measuring spasticity, the discriminative capacity of clinically diagnosed spasticity has not been well established. This study aimed to develop a simple device for measuring velocity-dependent spasticity with improved discriminative capacity based on an analysis of clinical maneuver and to examine its reliability and validity. Methods: This study consisted of three experiments. First, to determine the appropriate motion of a mechanical device for the measurement of velocity-dependent spasticity, the movement pattern and the angular velocity used by clinicians to evaluate velocity-dependent spasticity were investigated. Analysis of the procedures performed by six physical therapists to evaluate spasticity were conducted using an electrogoniometer. Second, a device for measuring the resistance force against ankle dorsiflexion was developed based on the results of the first experiment. Additionally, preliminary testing of validity, as compared to that of the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), was conducted on 17 healthy participants and 10 patients who had stroke with spasticity. Third, the reliability of the measurement and the concurrent validity of mechanical measurement in the best ankle velocity setting were further tested in a larger sample comprising 24 healthy participants and 32 patients with stroke. Results: The average angular velocity used by physical therapists to assess spasticity was 268 ± 77°/s. A device that enabled the measurement of resistance force at velocities of 300°/s, 150°/s, 100°/s, and 5°/s was developed. In the measurement, an angular velocity of 300°/s was found to best distinguish patients with spasticity (MAS of 1+ and 2) from healthy individuals. A measurement of 300°/s in the larger sample differentiated the control group from the MAS 1, 1+, and 2 subgroups (p < 0.01), as well as the MAS 1 and 2 subgroups (p < 0.05). No fixed or proportional bias was observed in repeated measurements. Conclusion: A simple mechanical measurement methodology was developed based on the analysis of the clinical maneuver for measuring spasticity and was shown to be valid in differentiating the existence and extent of spasticity. This study suggest possible requirements to improve the quality of the mechanical measurement of spasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Tanikawa
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Masahiko Mukaino
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
- *Correspondence: Masahiko Mukaino,
| | - Shota Itoh
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hikaru Kondoh
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kenta Fujimura
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Toshio Teranishi
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kei Ohtsuka
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirano
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kagaya
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Eiichi Saitoh
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yohei Otaka
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine I, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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Rao S, Huang M, Chung SG, Zhang LQ. Effect of Stretching of Spastic Elbow Under Intelligent Control in Chronic Stroke Survivors-A Pilot Study. Front Neurol 2022; 12:742260. [PMID: 34970204 PMCID: PMC8713334 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.742260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To assess the short-term effects of strenuous dynamic stretching of the elbow joint using an intelligent stretching device in chronic spastic stroke survivors. Methods: The intelligent stretching device was utilized to provide a single session of intensive stretching to the spastic elbow joint in the sagittal plane (i.e., elbow flexion and extension). The stretching was provided to the extreme range, safely, with control of the stretching velocity and torque to increase the joint range of motion (ROM) and reduce spasticity and joint stiffness. Eight chronic stroke survivors (age: 52.6 ± 8.2 years, post-stroke duration: 9.5 ± 3.6 years) completed a single 40-min stretching intervention session. Elbow passive and active ROM, strength, passive stiffness (quantifying the non-reflex component of spasticity), and instrumented tendon reflex test of the biceps tendon (quantifying the reflex component of the spasticity) were measured before and after stretching. Results: After stretching, there was a significant increase in passive ROM of elbow flexion (p = 0.021, r = 0.59) and extension (p = 0.026, r = 0.59). Also, elbow active ROM and the spastic elbow flexors showed a trend of increase in their strength. Conclusion: The intelligent stretching had a short-term positive influence on the passive movement ROM. Hence, intelligent stretching can potentially be used to repeatedly and regularly stretch spastic elbow joints, which subsequently helps to reduce upper limb impairments post-stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Rao
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Meizhen Huang
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sun Gun Chung
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Li-Qun Zhang
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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Ganguly J, Kulshreshtha D, Almotiri M, Jog M. Muscle Tone Physiology and Abnormalities. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13040282. [PMID: 33923397 PMCID: PMC8071570 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The simple definition of tone as the resistance to passive stretch is physiologically a complex interlaced network encompassing neural circuits in the brain, spinal cord, and muscle spindle. Disorders of muscle tone can arise from dysfunction in these pathways and manifest as hypertonia or hypotonia. The loss of supraspinal control mechanisms gives rise to hypertonia, resulting in spasticity or rigidity. On the other hand, dystonia and paratonia also manifest as abnormalities of muscle tone, but arise more due to the network dysfunction between the basal ganglia and the thalamo-cerebello-cortical connections. In this review, we have discussed the normal homeostatic mechanisms maintaining tone and the pathophysiology of spasticity and rigidity with its anatomical correlates. Thereafter, we have also highlighted the phenomenon of network dysfunction, cortical disinhibition, and neuroplastic alterations giving rise to dystonia and paratonia.
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Sukal-Moulton T, de Campos AC, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess sensorimotor cortical activity during hand squeezing and ankle dorsiflexion in individuals with and without bilateral and unilateral cerebral palsy. NEUROPHOTONICS 2020; 7:045001. [PMID: 33062800 PMCID: PMC7536541 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.7.4.045001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Our study is the first comparison of brain activation patterns during motor tasks across unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP), and typical development (TD) to elucidate neural mechanisms and inform rehabilitation strategies. Aim: Cortical activation patterns were compared for distal upper and lower extremity tasks in UCP, BCP, and TD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and related to functional severity. Approach: Individuals with UCP ( n = 10 , 18.8 ± 6.8 years ), BCP ( n = 14 , 17.5 ± 9.6 years ), and TD ( n = 16 , 17.3 ± 9.1 years ) participated in this cross-sectional cohort study. The fNIRS was used to noninvasively monitor the hemodynamic response to task-related cortical activation. The block design involved repetitive nondominant hand squeezing and ankle dorsiflexion. Results: Individuals with UCP demonstrated the highest levels of activation for the squeeze task ( UCP > BCP q = 0.049 ; BCP > TD q < 0.001 ; and UCP > TD q = 0.001 ) and more activity in the ipsilateral versus contralateral hemisphere. Individuals with BCP showed the highest levels of cortical activation in the dorsiflexion task ( BCP > UCP q < 0.001 ; BCP > TD ). Conclusions: Grouping by CP subtype and manual function or mobility level demonstrated significant differences from TD, even for individuals with the mildest forms of CP. Hemispheric activation patterns showed hypothesized but nonsignificant trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Sukal-Moulton
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Ana C. de Campos
- Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Katharine E. Alter
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Diane L. Damiano
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Functional and Applied Biomechanics Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
- Address all correspondence to Diane L Damiano,
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Meskers CG, Kwakkel G. Neural and non-neural contributions to enhanced joint stiffness in children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020; 62:1008. [PMID: 32602560 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carel Gm Meskers
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gert Kwakkel
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre, Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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