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Biomechanical approaches applied to the lower and upper limb for the measurement of spasticity: a systematic review of the literature

Biomechanical approaches applied to the lower and upper limb for the measurement of spasticity: a systematic review of the literature
Biomechanical approaches applied to the lower and upper limb for the measurement of spasticity: a systematic review of the literature
Purpose: To review and characterise biomechanical approaches for the measurement of spasticity as one component of the upper motor neurone syndrome.
Method: Systematic literature searches based on defined constructs and a four-step review process of approaches used or described to measure spasticity, its association with function or associated phenomena. Most approaches were limited to individual joints and therefore, to reflect this trend, references were grouped according to which body joint(s) were investigated or whether it addressed a functional activity. For each joint, references were further sub-divided into the types of measurement method described.
Results: A database of 335 references was established for the review process. The knee, ankle and elbow joints were the most popular, perhaps reflecting the assumption that they are mono-planar in movement and therefore simpler to assess. Seven measurement methods were identified: five involving passive movement (manual, controlled displacement, controlled torque, gravitational and tendon tap) and two involving active movement (voluntary and functional). Generally, the equipment described was in an experimental stage and there was a lack of information on system properties, such as accuracy or reliability. Patient testing was either by cohort or case studies. The review also conveyed the myriad of interpretations of the concept of spasticity.
Conclusions: Though biomechanical approaches provide quantitative data, the review highlighted several limitations that have prevented them being established as an appropriate method for clinical application to measure spasticity.
methods, patient
0963-8288
19 - 32
Wood, D.E.
73daccd6-6463-4b3e-a259-1b5005ed7760
Burridge, J.H.
0110e9ea-0884-4982-a003-cb6307f38f64
Van Wijck, F.M.
8e437ccf-9eb4-40f8-8591-4c6bc44ee743
McFadden, C.
14c4d158-3865-4456-9697-85468a187d7a
Hitchcock, R.A.
cd73f694-6325-4791-82f3-e27bcfb60d5a
Pandyan, A.D.
a2c604bb-e530-4175-90bb-267deeaf8f23
Haugh, A.
768eb58b-c8bc-43ab-933d-29ab53e3caee
Salazar-Torres, J.J.
db9200a4-bc23-42cd-9cc7-79aadf700498
Swain, I.D.
6c8b69b0-b1e7-48a9-8f70-737ec1295529
Wood, D.E.
73daccd6-6463-4b3e-a259-1b5005ed7760
Burridge, J.H.
0110e9ea-0884-4982-a003-cb6307f38f64
Van Wijck, F.M.
8e437ccf-9eb4-40f8-8591-4c6bc44ee743
McFadden, C.
14c4d158-3865-4456-9697-85468a187d7a
Hitchcock, R.A.
cd73f694-6325-4791-82f3-e27bcfb60d5a
Pandyan, A.D.
a2c604bb-e530-4175-90bb-267deeaf8f23
Haugh, A.
768eb58b-c8bc-43ab-933d-29ab53e3caee
Salazar-Torres, J.J.
db9200a4-bc23-42cd-9cc7-79aadf700498
Swain, I.D.
6c8b69b0-b1e7-48a9-8f70-737ec1295529

Wood, D.E., Burridge, J.H., Van Wijck, F.M., McFadden, C., Hitchcock, R.A., Pandyan, A.D., Haugh, A., Salazar-Torres, J.J. and Swain, I.D. (2005) Biomechanical approaches applied to the lower and upper limb for the measurement of spasticity: a systematic review of the literature. Disability and Rehabilitation, 27 (1/2), 19 - 32. (doi:10.1080/09638280400014683).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Purpose: To review and characterise biomechanical approaches for the measurement of spasticity as one component of the upper motor neurone syndrome.
Method: Systematic literature searches based on defined constructs and a four-step review process of approaches used or described to measure spasticity, its association with function or associated phenomena. Most approaches were limited to individual joints and therefore, to reflect this trend, references were grouped according to which body joint(s) were investigated or whether it addressed a functional activity. For each joint, references were further sub-divided into the types of measurement method described.
Results: A database of 335 references was established for the review process. The knee, ankle and elbow joints were the most popular, perhaps reflecting the assumption that they are mono-planar in movement and therefore simpler to assess. Seven measurement methods were identified: five involving passive movement (manual, controlled displacement, controlled torque, gravitational and tendon tap) and two involving active movement (voluntary and functional). Generally, the equipment described was in an experimental stage and there was a lack of information on system properties, such as accuracy or reliability. Patient testing was either by cohort or case studies. The review also conveyed the myriad of interpretations of the concept of spasticity.
Conclusions: Though biomechanical approaches provide quantitative data, the review highlighted several limitations that have prevented them being established as an appropriate method for clinical application to measure spasticity.

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More information

Published date: 1 January 2005
Keywords: methods, patient

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 18114
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/18114
ISSN: 0963-8288
PURE UUID: 24106e74-fb0c-4d29-bf5f-82af1ad8a1b5
ORCID for J.H. Burridge: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3497-6725

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Date deposited: 27 Oct 2005
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:57

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Contributors

Author: D.E. Wood
Author: J.H. Burridge ORCID iD
Author: F.M. Van Wijck
Author: C. McFadden
Author: R.A. Hitchcock
Author: A.D. Pandyan
Author: A. Haugh
Author: J.J. Salazar-Torres
Author: I.D. Swain

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