A neurophysiological method for the evaluation of motor performance in spastic walking patients.
Intrathecal baclofen is at present the best treatment for severe spasticity of various etiologies. In walking patients affected by severe spasticity a careful evaluation of the motor performance is needed for a correct indication for this treatment. The examination should focus on the delicate balance between spasticity and voluntary muscle activation which is crucial for an improvement of motor performance during gait. Seven patients have been neurophysiologically evaluated by the use of a Cibex apparatus measuring torque and movement velocity of the lower limbs simultaneously with static and dynamic recordings of the EMG.
Dones
I
I
Department of Neurosurgery, Istituto Nazionale Neurologico, C. Besta, Milano, Italy.
Servello
D
D
Molteni
F
F
Mariani
G
G
Broggi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015419:Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen