Clinical assessment of spasticity in individuals with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury.


METHODS
The study included eleven subjects with spinal cord injuries (C4 to T5). The modified Ashworth scale and pendulum test, which is accomplished through the Pendular Test Device - PTD (equipment which has a quartz crystal transducer accelerometer and optic fiber flexible electrogoniometer measuring the tensions and angular displacements). Patients underwent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to the quadriceps muscle from fibular nerve, and the tests were administered before and after therapy.


RESULTS
The data show a decrease in spasticity after NMES, with features such as increased variation between maximum and minimum peaks, i.e. increased amplitude of the curves. Furthermore, data from the subjective scale, and modified Ashworth scale after neuromuscular electrical stimulation also showed a reduction in the values of spasticity.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that NMES is effective in reducing spasticity immediately after completion. Level of Evidence II, Therapeutic Studies-Investigating the Results of Treatment .
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Janaina Roland
JR
Tancredo
Laboratory of Biocybernetics and Rehabilitation Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Renata Manzano
RM
Maria
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Eliza Regina Ferreira Braga Machad de
ER
Azevedo
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Karina Cristina
KC
Alonso
Laboratory of Biocybernetics and Rehabilitation Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Renato
R
Varoto
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil ; Laboratory of Biocybernetics and Rehabilitation Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Alberto
A
Cliquet Junior
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Spasticity; Spinal cord injuries