OBJECTIVE To explore the occurrence of, and risk factors for, spasticity until 6 months after first-ever stroke. METHODS Forty-nine patients were examined at day 2-10, at 1 month, and at 6 months. The modified Ashworth Scale was used to assess resistance to passive movements. A comprehensive clinical examination was performed to identify other positive signs of upper motor neurone syndrome, i...

This study is a comparative analysis and meta-analysis of three randomized clinical trials. Children with spastic diplegia received either 'selective' dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) plus physiotherapy (SDR+PT) or PT without SDR (PT-only). Common outcome measures were used for spasticity (Ashworth scale) and function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]). Baseline and 9- to 12-month outcome data were po...

OBJECTIVE To develop a clinical and instrumental protocol to assess the postural and dynamic effects following treatment with botulinum neurotoxin A in children with cerebral palsy affected by spastic equinus. DESIGN Open study, in which every patient served as his or her own control. PATIENTS Ten sequential children with cerebral palsy and spastic dynamic equinus foot. METHODS Botulinum ...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate long term change in impairment, disability, and health related functional status in patients with severe spasticity who received intrathecal baclofen. METHODS A long term (more than five years) observational longitudinal follow up study assessing 21 patients who received intrathecal baclofen given by programmable pump. Patients had chronic disabling spasticity which did...

The effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) training on body composition, assessed by computed tomography, and the effect of spasticity, assessed by both objective and subjective measures, are evaluated. Fifteen motor-complete spinal-cord-injured men participated in the study. Eight of the 15 subjects undertook FES cycling 3 times weekly for 6 months. Whole body computed tomography sc...

[Purpose] Investigation of the efficacy of robot-mediated therapy of the upper limb in patients with chronic stroke, in task-oriented training activities of daily living in real environment. [Subjects and Methods] 20 patients, each more than one year post-stroke (13-71 months) received 20 sessions of upper limb robot-mediated therapy. No other treatment was given. Each therapy session consisted...

Cross-section data on secondary level student choices provide evidence on factors influencing the decision to study economics. Such evidence makes a key contribution to the broader debates on why student numbers have been falling in economics and why women are reluctant economists. Greater mathematical aptitude and prior knowledge of the subject influence the decision to study economics, and a ...

The aim of this study was to investigate the infl uence of diff erent positions on stretch refl ex activity of knee fl exors and extensors measured by surface electromyography in poststroke patients with spasticity and its expression in the Ashworth scale. Nineteen poststroke patients with lower-limb spasticity participated in this crossover trial, during which stretch refl ex activity was asse...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of different positions on stretch reflex activity of knee flexors and extensors measured by electromyography in poststroke patients with spasticity and its expression in the Ashworth Scale. DESIGN Crossover trial with randomized order of positioning. SETTING Outpatient rehabilitation center in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Poststroke patients (N = 19...

Objectives: One of the most common and disabling complications that affects individuals with spinal cord injury is spasticity. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of agonist and antagonist electrical stimulations on triceps surae muscle spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with spinal cord injury were considered for the study. They were...