Evaluation of the catch in spasticity assessment in children with cerebral palsy

J.C. van den Noort, V.A.B. Scholtes, J.G.S.J.S. Becher, J. Harlaar

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    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. © 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)615-623
    JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    Volume91
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

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