title: Posture Influence on the Pendulum Test of Spasticity in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: The study aims to investigate the influence of different postures on spasticity results by pendulum test in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The setting was at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil. Five individuals with SCI and five individuals in the control group were included. All individuals went through the pendulum test in three different positions: supine, semi-supine at an angle of 30°, and sitting up at an angle of 60°. An electrogoniometer was attached to the right leg for measurement of knee joint angles. All situations were performed five times. Blood pressure was monitored during tests. Relaxation index (RI), normalized relaxation index (RIn), test duration in seconds, initial flexion angle, and resting angle were analyzed at three different positions. Results were compared between different positions, and statistically no differences were found. In individuals with SCI, RI (1.83 ± 0.2), RIn (1.14 ± 0.13), and test duration values (13.95 ± 4.14), in sitting up position, were similar to the control group results. In sitting up position, patients showed spasticity reduction. However, the other two postures produce pain and increase blood pressure in patients with tetraplegia. Therefore, these postures should be avoided in patients with lesions above T6, due to possible autonomic dysreflexia symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliza Regina Ferreira Braga Machado
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Manzano
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Maria
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Cristina
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.|Biocybernetics and Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of São Paulo-USP, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cliquet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000009:adverse effects; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000294:innervation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016683:Supine Position
keywords: Pendulum test; Posture; Spasticity; Spinal cord injury