The Tardieu Scale differentiates contracture from spasticity whereas the Ashworth Scale is confounded by it.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the Tardieu Scale as a clinical measure of spasticity after stroke with the Ashworth Scale.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Sixteen people, living in the community three years after their stroke.


METHODS
The Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale as well as laboratory measures of spasticity (stretch-induced electromyographic (EMG) activity) and contracture (maximum passive joint excursion) were collected from the affected elbow flexors and extensors and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors by three examiners who were blinded to the results of the other measures.


RESULTS
The percentage exact agreement (PEA) between the Tardieu Scale and a laboratory measure of spasticity was 100% for both the elbow flexors and ankle plantarflexors. This was significantly (P= 0.02) greater than the PEA of 63% for both muscles between the Ashworth Scale and the same laboratory measure of spasticity. For contracture, the PEA between the Tardieu Scale and a laboratory measure was 94% for both the elbow flexors and the ankle plantarflexors. Pearson correlation coefficients between the Tardieu Scale and laboratory measures of spasticity were 0.86 for the elbow flexors and 0.62 for the ankle plantarflexors and between the Tardieu Scale and laboratory measures of contracture were 0.89 for the elbow flexors and 0.84 for the ankle plantarflexors.


CONCLUSIONS
In all cases that spasticity was overestimated by the Ashworth Scale, participants had a contracture. These findings suggest that the Tardieu Scale differentiates spasticity from contracture whereas the Ashworth Scale is confounded by it.
Patrick
Emily
E
School of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Ada
Louise
L
D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint; D003286:Contracture / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*