Biomechanical investigation of the modified Tardieu Scale in assessing knee extensor spasticity poststroke. (17th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gholami, Samaneh; Ansari, Noureddin Nakhostin; Naghdi, Soofia; Tabatabaei, Azadeh; Jannat, Davood; Senobari, Maryam; Dadgoo, Mahdi
• Is Part Of: Physiotherapy research international. Volume 23:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-11-17
• Subjects: modified Tardieu Scale -- spasticity -- stroke -- work; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy Modalities -- Periodicals; Physiothérapie -- Périodiques; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1002/pri.1698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-2267

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) is a clinical tool for the measurement of muscle spasticity. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the MTS and the slope of the work‐velocity curve as a biomechanical measure in assessing knee extensor muscle spasticity in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty patients with stroke (22 female, 8 male; mean age 55.4 ± 12.0 years) participated in this study. The knee extensor spasticity was assessed with the MTS. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to move the knee passively from full extension to 90° flexion at speeds of 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s to collect torque‐angle data. The slope of the work‐velocity curve was calculated using linear regression [J/(°/s)]. Results: The mean of R2‐R1 component of MTS was 19.73 (SD 29.85). The mean work significantly decreased as the speed increased ( p < .001). The mean (SD) slope for the work‐velocity curve was −0.83 (SD 0.73, range −2.6–0.3). There was no significant relationship between the R2 ‐R1 and the slope of work‐velocity curve ( r = 0.09, p = .62). Conclusions: The lack of significant relationship between the MTS and the slope of work‐velocity curve may question the usefulness of the MTS as a valid measure of muscle spasticity after stroke.