Evaluation of the Catch in Spasticity Assessment in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Josien C. van den Noort, Vanessa A. Scholtes, Jules G. Becher, Jaap Harlaar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

van den Noort JC, Scholtes VA, Becher JG, Harlaar J. Evaluation of the catch in spasticity assessment in children with cerebral palsy. Objective: To evaluate whether the catch in clinical spasticity assessment in cerebral palsy (CP) is the consequence of a sudden velocity-dependent increase in muscle activity, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex in spasticity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A special school for children with physical disabilities. Participants: Children with CP (N=20; age range, 5-14y; mean weight ± SD, 35±14kg; mean length ± SD, 139±19cm). Interventions: Spasticity assessment tests (using slow and fast passive stretch) were performed in the medial hamstrings, soleus, and medial gastrocnemius muscles of the children by 2 experienced examiners. Main Outcome Measures: Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded and joint motion was simultaneously measured using 2 inertial sensors. The encounter of a catch by the examiner was compared with the presence of a sudden increase in muscle activity ("burst"). The average rectified value (ARV) of the EMG signal was calculated for each test. Results: The study shows a sudden increase in muscle activity in fast passive stretch, followed by a catch (hamstrings 100%, soleus 95%, gastrocnemius 84%). The ARV in slow passive stretch was significantly lower. Conclusions: The results confirm that in children with CP, an increase in muscle activity is primarily responsible for a catch in fast passive muscle stretch.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)615-623
Number of pages9
JournalArchives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Volume91
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2010

Keywords

  • Biomedical engineering
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Electromyography
  • Muscle spasticity
  • Physical examination
  • Rehabilitation

Cite this