A Validity Study of the Modified Tardieu Scale in Measruing Poststroke Knee Extensor Spasticity

Background & Aims: The Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) is a clinical scale for measuring the degree of muscle spasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the MTS in measuring poststroke knee extensorspasticity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in ۲۰۱۲ at a university clinic of neurological physiotherapy in Tehran, Iran, with repeated measurements. In the present study, ۱۵ poststroke patients with a mean age of ۵۳.۸ ± ۱۴.۰ years and mean time since stroke of ۴۰.۰ ± ۳۲.۲ months participated. The knee extensor muscle spasticity was assessed using the MTS to calculate the R۲-R۱ as the main clinical measure. To calculate the work, an isokinetic dynamometer was used to quantify torque-angle data during passive movements at ۴ speeds (۶۰°, ۱۲۰°, ۱۸۰°, and ۲۴۰°/sec). The linear regression was used to calculate the slope for the work-velocity data [Joule/(degree/sec)]. Results: There were significant differences between works done by the dynamometer at four speeds; as the speed increased the work decreased (P < ۰.۰۱). Mean (standard deviation) slope for the work-velocity data was-۰.۷۶ (۰.۷۸). There was no significant correlation between the dynamic component of MTS (R۲-R۱) and slope for the work-velocity data. Conclusion: The results indicate that the MTS might not be a valid measure for assessing knee extensor muscle spasticity in thissample of patients afterstroke

کلیدواژه ها:

Stroke ، Spasticity ، Modified Tardieu Scale ، Isokinetic dynamometer ، Work ، Biomechanics