Objective To investigate the effects of functional strengthening (using functional movements) and analytical strengthening (using repetitive movements) on level of activity and muscular strength gain in patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke. Method A randomized, assessor-blinded trial was conducted in a therapist-supervised home rehabilitation program. Twenty-seven patients with chro...

BACKGROUND Cerebral palsy (CP) may cause severe spasticity, requiring neurosurgical procedures. The most common neurosurgical procedures are continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen and selective dorsal rhizotomy. Both are invasive and complex procedures. We hypothesized that a percutaneous radiofrequency lesion of the dorsal root ganglion (RF-DRG) could be a simple and safe alternative trea...

Panorama(BBC1 March 23) did nothing to dispel the myths and fears that surround Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton special hospitals. Neither Ashworth nor Broadmoor had an opportunity to put their case on the programme, maybe because they disagreed with what the programme was trying to establish.

BACKGROUND The development of spasticity with age in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has, to our knowledge, not been studied before. In 1994, a register and a health care program for children with CP in southern Sweden were initiated. In the programme the child's muscle tone according to the modified Ashworth scale is measured twice a year until six years of age, then once a year. We have use...

Background: The development of spasticity with age in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has, to our knowledge, not been studied before. In 1994, a register and a health care program for children with CP in southern Sweden were initiated. In the programme the child's muscle tone according to the modified Ashworth scale is measured twice a year until six years of age, then once a year. We have us...

OBJECTIVE Conventional methods for managing upper-extremity (UE) spasticity are invasive, usually require readministration after a certain time period, and do not necessarily increase UE function. This study examined efficacy of combining two singularly efficacious modalities-UE bracing and electrical stimulation-with functional training to reduce UE spasticity and improve function. METHOD Tw...

OBJECTIVE To document the frequency, clinical correlates and predictors of symptomatic upper limb spasticity in patients one year or more after stroke. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS A total of 140 patients after stroke attending a rehabilitation clinic. METHODS Assessments of spasticity, upper limb function and self-care ability using the Ashworth Scale (AS), Motor Assessment Sca...

The major objectives of this cross-sectional study were to (1) measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and spasticity and (2) determine the relationships between IGF-1 and cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of thigh skeletal muscle groups. Eight individuals with motor complete SCI underwent magnetic resonance imaging to measure the CSA of the...