title: Development of a new method for objective assessment of spasticity using full range passive movements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a method for assessment of spasticity, in which the whole range of motion (ROM) at a wide variation of speeds is applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional design to study construct validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research department affiliated with a rehabilitation hospital in The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with complete spinal cord injury recruited from the rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty to 45 stretches over the whole ROM were applied to the triceps surae muscle at varying velocities measuring from 30 degrees to 150 degrees/s. Electromyographic responses were measured in order to assess reflex excitability. The torque over the ankle joint was measured during the whole stretch. The angle and velocity at which the reflex was initiated was also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electromyographic responses increased significantly at increasing stretch velocities (P<.001). The applied maximum angles are reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient, .81) and provide representative torque responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assessment method of spasticity using full range passive movements provides objective outcomes. The angular velocity is responsible for an exponential increase in amplitude of the electromyographic response.
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research & Development, Enschede, The Netherlands. a.vandersalm@rrd.nl
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Salm
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Veltink
authors.forename: Hermie J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hermens
authors.forename: Maarten J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ijzerman
authors.forename: Anand V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Nene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque