Stroke and Assessment of Muscle Tone

Stroke and Myotonometer: Validity, Reliability and Discrimination Between the Mechanical and Sensory Component of Spasticity

Spasticity is defined as a state of increased muscle tone, which evokes an increased resistance to a passive and fast stretching of the muscle. Indeed, the degree of spasticity depends, among other things, on the stretching velocity performed to the muscle. However, most of the tools used in the clinical setting to assess spasticity do not take into account the relationship between increased muscle tone and speed of stretching. Instead of that, muscle tone is usually assessed in a relaxed position of the muscle.

Likewise, to date, despite the functional disabilities related to the presence of chronic pain after a stroke, no previous study has correlated muscle tone and pressure pain sensitivity within this population

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be older than 18 years
• Clinical diagnosis of stroke, confirmed using a MRI.
• No previous history of other strokes.
• Increases muscle tone in upper and lower extremities (punctuation equal to or superior to 1 in the Tardieu Scale, Ashworth Scale)
• Ability to understand the study goals, follow simple instructions and provide informed consent.
• Score equal to or superior to 24 in the Minimental State Examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any other confirmed neurological disorder that may influence muscle tone (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, muscle dystrophies...)
• A chronic musculoskeletal disorder in the upper or lower limb.
• Previous history of surgery in the upper or lower extremities.
• Changes in the medication intake that may affect muscle tone assessments in the 48 hours before data collection.
• Having received botulin toxin in gastrocnemius or biceps brachii muscles in the 30 days before data collection.
• A concomitant acute infection during data collection.
• A previous epileptic crisis in the week before the study or during the study.