Faculty Collaboration Database

Beyond Ashworth. Electrophysiologic quantification of spasticity. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 1998 Nov;9(4):949-79, ix

Date

01/20/1999

Pubmed ID

9894105

DOI

10.1016/s1047-9651(18)30243-2

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031793988 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   63 Citations

Abstract

Spasticity is a hallmark of upper motor neuron lesion, which is easily identified but is difficult to quantify and treat. The Ashworth scale lacks reliability. Available biomechanical and electrophysiologic studies offer a more reliable measure of spastic hypertonia but have limited clinical utility. A uniformly acceptable, reliable, and practical measure of spasticity continues to elude the clinician. This chapter reviews the basic neuroanatomy and physiology of the stretch reflex and the pathophysiology of the spasticity. Current biomechanical and electrophysiological techniques are used to quantify spasticity.

Author List

Sehgal N, McGuire JR

Author

John R. McGuire MD Professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Afferent Pathways
Biomechanical Phenomena
Efferent Pathways
Electrodiagnosis
Electromyography
Electrophysiology
Humans
Mechanoreceptors
Motor Neuron Disease
Motor Neurons
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal
Muscle Spasticity
Muscle Spindles
Muscle Tonus
Muscle, Skeletal
Reflex, Stretch
Reproducibility of Results