Spasticity is a common pathological phenomenon in clinical practices, frequently expressed as a stroke, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. The accurate quantification of spasticity allows early action to prevent the potentially irreversible consequences. The aim of this work is to develop and implement a mechatronic device for the accurate quantification of spasticity, w...

Clinical assessment of spasticity is compromised by the difficulty to distinguish neural from non-neural components of increased joint torque. Quantifying the contributions of each of these components is crucial to optimize the selection of anti-spasticity treatments such as Botulinum Toxin (BTX). The aim of this study was to compare different biomechanical parameters that quantify the neural c...

Implantation of an intrathecal baclofen pump is recommended for children with cerebral palsy as a means to improve care and comfort when other options fail to control severe hypertonia. Making an assessment of a child's spasticity-related limitations in both routine care and activity is a necessary component of selection of intrathecal baclofen candidates. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicag...

Spasticity is a common complication after spinal cord injury (SCI) within the upper motor neuron syndrome. We describe it in 2 parts: in the first one (Part 1) the pathophysiology, clinical features and assessment are shown, and in this part (Part 2) its treatment will be considered. Once it has been decided to treat spasticity, the treatment is based on starting with simpler and less problemat...

A high prevalence of spasticity in patients with a variety of upper motor neuron lesions has been reported and spasticity assessments and treatments have been the focus of several recent research articles. It is important for researchers based in non-clinical settings, who are designing scales to measure spasticity, to understand the nuances of the challenges facing clinicians involved in spast...

OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) to treat muscle spasticity after brain injury (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-11001310). METHODS A total of 60 patients with muscle spasticity after brain injury were randomized to the following 3 groups: 100, 2, and 0 Hz (sham) TEAS. The acupoint...

Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common type of CP. Up to 80% of all individuals with cerebral palsy suffer from some degree of spasticity. Spasticity adversely affects muscles and joints of the extremities, causing abnormal movements, and it is especially harmful in growing children. Several methods have been developed and used to assess spasticity. The most commonly used test in clinic...

Spasticity is considered an important neural contributor to muscle hypertonia in children with cerebral palsy (CP). It is most often treated with antispasticity medication, such as Botulinum Toxin-A. However, treatment response is highly variable. Part of this variability may be due to the inability of clinical tests to differentiate between the neural (e.g., spasticity) and nonneural (e.g., so...

Background: Spasticity is one of the problems after a stroke. Due to this increase in muscle tone, patients are confronted with problems in motor control and difficulties in activities of daily living and complications such as shortness and contracture. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the simultaneous use of both splint and botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection on spasticity, ...

The authors evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in poststroke spasticity patients who completed a 12-week placebo-controlled study and received multiple open-label treatments with 200 to 240 U BTX-A for 42 weeks. Significant and sustained improvements were observed for Disability Assessment and Ashworth scores. Adverse events were generally mild. This e...