title: Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a tool for analysis of the effect of physical therapy on spasticity in HAM/TSP patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate spasticity in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients before and after physical therapy using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine subjects underwent physical therapy. Spasticity was evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The obtained scores were converted into ICF body functions scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of subjects had a high degree of spasticity in the quadriceps muscles. According to the ICF codes, the spasticity decreased after 20 sessions of physical therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ICF was effective in evaluating spasticity in HAM/TSP patients.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luana Rego
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: dosRodrigues
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luzielma Macedo
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Glória
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mayara do Socorro Brito dos
authors.initials: Mdo S
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: George Alberto da Silva
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise da Silva
authors.initials: Dda S
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome