What does modified Ashworth scale assess?
What does modified Ashworth scale assess?
The modified Ashworth scale is a muscle tone assessment scale used to assess the resistance experienced during passive range of motion, which does not require any instrumentation and is quick to perform.
What can affect scoring of the modified Ashworth scale?
Scoring:
| >Score | Ashworth Scale (Ashworth, 1964) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Slight increase in tone giving a catch when the limb was moved in flexion or extension |
| 1+ | N/A |
| 2 | More marked increase in tone but limb easily flexed |
| 3 | Considerable increase in tone, passive movement difficult |
What is normal on modified Ashworth scale?
A score of 1 indicates no resistance, and 5 indicates rigidity. Modified Ashworth Scale: Similar to Ashworth, but adds a 1+ scoring category to indicate resistance through less than half of the movement. Scores range from 0-4, with 6 choices (Bohannon & Smith, 1987).
How do I check my Ashworth Scale?
Method of Use
- slight increase in tone giving a catch when slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by the limb was moved in flexion or extension.
- more marked increase in tone but more marked increased in muscle tone through most limb easily flexed.
- considerable increase in tone, passive movement difficult.
Is spasticity velocity dependent?
Spasticity is commonly defined as “a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes (muscle tone) with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex, as one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome” (4).
What is the difference between spasticity and rigidity?
Whereas spasticity arises as a result of damage to the corticoreticulospinal (pyramidal) tracts, rigidity is caused by dysfunction of extrapyramidal pathways, most commonly the basal ganglia, but also as a result of lesions of the mesencephalon and spinal cord.
What are the grades of spasticity?
| Modified Ashworth Scale | |
|---|---|
| Grade | Description |
| 2 | More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved |
| 3 | Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult |
| 4 | Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension |
How do you check for spasticity?
A physical examination with neurological testing will be done to test for spasticity and the severity of it. Imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more information on the source of spasticity and the extent of the damage that has caused it.
How do you evaluate spasticity?
Evaluation of spasticity should be based on clinical assessment with additional repeated biomechanical and/or electrophysiological measurements obtained during active and functional movements as complementary techniques.
Is rigidity or spasticity velocity dependent?
Conclusions: Velocity dependence analysis indicates that rigidity and spasticity have approximately equal velocity dependent properties. For differentiating these two types of hypertonia, position dependent properties my be employed.
Why is spasticity speed dependent?
Conclusion: Velocity dependence of spasticity is partially due to joint angle position dependence with the joint moved further (to a stiffer position where higher resistance was felt) at a higher velocity.
