title: Stretch reflex spatial threshold measure discriminates between spasticity and rigidity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Muscle spasticity following stroke has been shown to result from limitations in the range of regulation of the tonic reflex spatial threshold (ST), i.e., the joint angle at which the stretch reflex begins to act due to descending and segmental influences on motoneurons. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spasticity due to stroke and rigidity due to parkinsonism can be discriminated based on the ST measure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elbow muscles were stretched at different velocities in healthy, stroke (spasticity) and parkinsonism (rigidity) subjects. The elbow angle at which muscle activation began for each stretch velocity (dynamic ST) and the velocity sensitivity of the ST were measured. Dynamic ST values extrapolated to zero velocity defined the tonic ST.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to healthy subjects, spasticity and rigidity were associated with a decrease in the range of central regulation of tonic STs. STs were hypersensitive in spastic muscles and either hypo- or inversely sensitive to stretch velocity in rigid muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ST characteristics discriminate between neurological deficits of muscle tone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that spasticity and rigidity result from deficits in descending facilitatory control combined with deficits in dynamic fusimotor or/and presynaptic control of Ia inputs to motoneurons.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Canada.
authors.forename: Aditi A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mullick
authors.forename: Nadine K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Musampa
authors.forename: Anatol G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Mindy F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004550:Elbow / Q000502:physiology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications