Faculty Collaboration Database

Reliability of biomechanical spasticity measurements at the elbow of people poststroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005 Aug;86(8):1648-54

Date

08/09/2005

Pubmed ID

16084821

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2005.03.015

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-23644447247 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   65 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimum number of measurements required to obtain a reliable estimate of upper-extremity spasticity using biomechanic assessment across multiple testing trials and dates.

DESIGN: Single-center, longitudinal study with repeated measurements of spastic upper-extremity torque measures taken 1 week apart.

SETTING: A hospital-based laboratory with an isokinetic testing system.

PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen subjects more than 6 months poststroke with upper-extremity spasticity.

INTERVENTION: Elbow flexor hypertonia was assessed with a custom-made manipulandum attached to a 6-axis load cell and a Biodex System 3 isokinetic testing machine. Movements into extension were imposed at 4 speeds: 6 degrees /s, 30 degrees /s, 60 degrees /s, and 90 degrees /s.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The resistive torque and electromyographic response to these imposed movements were measured. The torque response at the slowest speed (6 degrees /s) was attributed solely to the passive elements of the elbow and was subtracted from the torque response at the higher speeds (30 degrees /s, 60 degrees /s, 90 degrees /s), leaving only reflex torque. The reflex torques at 30 degrees /s, 60 degrees /s, and 90 degrees /s were used for further analysis. Peak torque, peak joint stiffness, and onset angle of reflex torque responses were found; repeatability and daily variability of these measures were statistically examined. The variabilities due to the subject, test day, and trial number were computed. The overall reliability of each parameter at the 3 higher test speeds using different testing schemes was also calculated.

RESULTS: Ninety percent reliability in the measurement of all parameters was obtained after at least 2 days of testing during which 3 tests a day were performed. The variability in between-subjects measurements was at least 4 times greater than the intertrial variability when testing at the highest speeds; daily variability that was up to 50% of the intersubject variability was also observed. The biomechanic measures correlated well with the Ashworth Scale (Spearman rho=.84, P<.005), a clinical measure of hypertonia.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend at least 2 test dates to account for the daily variability in the spastic reflex response and to ensure reliable spasticity measurements.

Author List

Starsky AJ, Sangani SG, McGuire JR, Logan B, Schmit BD

Authors

Brent R. Logan PhD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
John R. McGuire MD Professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Brian Schmit PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette University
Andrew Starsky BS,PhD,MPT Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

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

Adult
Biomechanical Phenomena
Elbow
Electromyography
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Spasticity
Reflex, Stretch
Reproducibility of Results
Statistics, Nonparametric
Stroke
Torque