Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Biomechanical Investigation of the Modified Tardieu Scale in Assessing Knee Extensor Spasticity Poststroke Publisher Pubmed



Gholami S1 ; Ansari NN2, 3, 4 ; Naghdi S2, 3, 4 ; Tabatabaei A2 ; Jannat D5 ; Senobari M2 ; Dadgoo M6
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Neuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Industrial Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Physiotherapy Research International Published:2018


Abstract

Objective: The modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) is a clinical tool for the measurement of muscle spasticity. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the MTS and the slope of the work-velocity curve as a biomechanical measure in assessing knee extensor muscle spasticity in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty patients with stroke (22 female, 8 male; mean age 55.4 ± 12.0 years) participated in this study. The knee extensor spasticity was assessed with the MTS. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to move the knee passively from full extension to 90° flexion at speeds of 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s to collect torque-angle data. The slope of the work-velocity curve was calculated using linear regression [J/(°/s)]. Results: The mean of R2-R1 component of MTS was 19.73 (SD 29.85). The mean work significantly decreased as the speed increased (p <.001). The mean (SD) slope for the work-velocity curve was −0.83 (SD 0.73, range −2.6–0.3). There was no significant relationship between the R2-R1 and the slope of work-velocity curve (r = 0.09, p =.62). Conclusions: The lack of significant relationship between the MTS and the slope of work-velocity curve may question the usefulness of the MTS as a valid measure of muscle spasticity after stroke. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.