http://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-016-0133-x
- Gaia Valentina PennatiEmail author,
- Jeanette Plantin,
- Jörgen Borg and
- Påvel G Lindberg
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation201613:30
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-016-0133-x
© Pennati et al. 2016
Received: 19 October 2015
Accepted: 2 March 2016
Published: 18 March 2016
Abstract
Background and Objective
The NeuroFlexor is a novel
instrument for quantification of neural, viscous and elastic components
of passive movement resistance. The aim of this study was to provide
normative data and cut-off values from healthy subjects and to use these
to explore signs of spasticity at the wrist and fingers in patients
recovering from stroke.
Methods
107 healthy subjects (age
range 28–68 years; 51 % females) and 39 stroke patients (age range 33–69
years; 33 % females), 2–4 weeks after stroke, were assessed with the
NeuroFlexor. Cut-off values based on mean + 3SD of the reference data
were calculated. In patients, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was also
applied.
Results
In healthy subjects, neural
component was 0.8 ± 0.9 N (mean ± SD), elastic component was
2.7 ± 1.1 N, viscous component was 0.3 ± 0.3 N and resting tension was
5.9 ± 1 N. Age only correlated with elastic component (r = −0.3, p = 0.01). Elasticity and resting tension were higher in males compared to females (p = 0.001) and both correlated positively with height (p
= 0.01). Values above healthy population cut-off were observed in 16
patients (41 %) for neural component, in 2 (5 %) for elastic component
and in 23 (59 %) for viscous component. Neural component above cut-off
did not correspond well to MAS ratings. Ten patients with MAS = 0 had
neural component values above cut-off and five patients with MAS ≥ 1 had
neural component within normal range.
Conclusion
This study provides NeuroFlexor cut-off values that are useful for detection of spasticity in the early phase after stroke.
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