Development of a clinical method for the rehabilitative evaluation of spasticity

痉挛被定义为由于中枢神经系统功能障碍引起的高张力，如脑血管意外。痉挛影响日常生活活动，如进食和步态，导致自主运动障碍。在临床领域，痉挛是根据检查者对被动拉伸的抵抗特征的主观印象来评估的。然而，这种痉挛的临床评估方法有一些局限性，如定性和可靠性差。此外，关于痉挛的实质特征和干预对康复的影响的科学证据尚不清楚。本研究旨在开发一种使用手持测量设备的痉挛临床评估方法。手持式测量装置由带压力传感器的帕默板、皮带和模拟输出组成。在被动拉伸过程中，通过检测连接在被测者背部的手持式测量装置的模拟信号来测量痉挛度。手持式测量装置的模拟信号以1kHz采样频率转换为数字信号。转换后的数字信号用生物信息分析软件（Kissei-comtec, BIMUTAS II）进行分析。根据振幅和波形分析了痉挛的特征。从上述初步研究来看，我们认为这种手持式测量设备是一种有用的痉挛测量临床工具。

Spasticity is defined as hypertonicity due to dysfunction of central nervous system such as cerebro-vascular accident. Activities of daily living such as eating and gait are affected by spasticity, resulting in disorders of voluntary movement.In clinical field, spasticity has been evaluated by subjective impression of the examiner based on the characteristics of resistance to passive stretching. However, this clinical evaluation method for spasticity has several limitations, such as being qualitative and poor reliability. Furthermore, the scientific evidence regarding the substantial characteristics of spasticity and the effects of intervention in rehabilitation is not clear.This study aimed to develop a clinical evaluation method for spasticity using a handheld measurement device. The handheld measurement device consisted of a palmer plate with pressure sensor, belt, and an analogue output. Spasticity was measured through the detection of the analogue signals from the handheld measurement device attached to the palmer aspect of examiner during passive stretch. Analogue signals from handheld measurement device were converted to digital signals at 1kHz sampling frequency. The converted digital signals were analyzed by using a bio-information analyzing software (Kissei-comtec, BIMUTAS II). The characteristics of spasticity were analyzed based on the amplitude and waveform.From the above pilot study, it was thought that this handheld measurement device was a useful clinical tool for the measurement of spasticity.