title: Spasticity over time during acute rehabilitation: a study of patient and clinician scores.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to describe spasticity trajectories as a function of time, gender, and diagnosis and to explore the correspondence between patient and clinician scores of spasticity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Discrepancy between examiner assessment and patient rating of spasticity exists. Assessments that include the patient perspective are critical for patient safety. This mixed-method study provided patient descriptors of spasticity integrated with clinical scales.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three participants provided spasticity descriptors and rated their spasticity based on Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores. A clinician evaluated spasticity daily using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). This resulted in 1976 points of data for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spasticity was highly variable over time. The empirical correspondence between the clinician-rated MAS and the patient-rated NRS revealed that patient and examiner understanding of spasticity were diverged considerably.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical evaluation protocols should include patient reports on spasticity. Knowledge about patient word choice can enhance patient-provider communication.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN, United States. Electronic address: bhim0001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Rozina H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bhimani
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States. Electronic address: peden001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peden-McAlpine
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States. Electronic address: gaug0015@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaugler
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States. Electronic address: ander350@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa Carney
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Communication; Mixed method; Nursing; Spasticity; Symptom experiences