J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2002 Jun;26(3):321-326.

A Quantitative Assessment of Knee Extensor Spasticity Using Isokinetic Dynamometer

• Sung DH
• Kim JM
• Lee KW
• Kim SY
• Ra YJ
• Jung JY
• Park HD
• Yoo SJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To find useful parameters in biomechanical assessment of spasticity. METHOD: Knee extensor muscles of 60 limbs of 47 patients which showed clinical spasticity were stretched by isokinetic dynamometer. Stretch was done with the velocities of 60o/sec, 120o/sec, 180o/sec, 240o/sec. Four parameters [torque onset angle (TOA), peak torque angle (PTA), peak eccentric torque (PET), peak eccentric torque area (PETA)] were measured at each stretch velocity. Then, regression analysis was performed in relationship between each parameter and strech velocity. We analysed the correlation between the slope of each parameter in regression equation and clinical Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
RESULTS
The slope of TOA and PTA had negative value so that they showed the decreasing trend of their value according to increasing velocity. On the other hand the slope of PET and PETA had positive value which meant that those parameters increased according to increasing velocity. The slope of PET and PETA were correlated statistically. The higher the MAS score was, the larger value of slope of PET, PTEA were noted.
CONCLUSION
Peak eccentric torque and Peak eccentric torque area are thought to be useful parameters in biomecha nical assessment of spasticity.

Keyword

Spasticity; Isokinetic dynamometer; Biomechanical assessment

MeSH Terms

Extremities
Hand
Humans
Knee*
Muscle Spasticity*
Muscles
Torque