Reflex and Nonreflex Characterization of Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Dependence of Catch Angle on Velocity

Spasticity, contracture and muscle weakness are commonly seen in children with cerebral palsy. Although it is commonly accepted that spasticity is characterized with velocitydependent increase in muscle tone, it is not clear whether the commonly measured “catch” is dependent on the movement velocity. Furthermore, convenient and quantitative device/measurement in clinical setting for evaluating children with CP is essential and there is a lack of quantitative and convenient method and device to evaluate spasticity, contracture and muscle weakness in a clinical setting. Hence the aim of this study was to evaluate spasticity, contracture and muscle weakness quantitatively using our custom a Manual Spasticity Evaluator (MSE) and Handheld Tendon Tapper (HTT).