Abstract
BackgroundDevelopment of a reliable and objective test of spasticity is important for assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The pendulum test has been reported to yield reliable measurements of spasticity and to be sensitive to variations in spasticity in these children. However, the relationship between the pendulum test scores and other objective measures of spasticity has not been studied. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an accelerometer-based pendulum test as a measurement of spasticity in CP, and to explore the correlation between the measurements of this test and the global index of deviation from normal gait in in children with cerebral palsy.MethodsWe studied thirty-six children with cerebral palsy, including 18 with spastic hemiplegia and 18 with spastic diplegia, and a group of 18 typically-developing children. Knee extensor spasticity was assessed bilaterally using the accelerometer-based pendulum test and three-dimensional gait analysis. The Gillette Gait Index was calculated from the results of the gait analysis.ResultsThe data from the accelerometer-based pendulum test could be used to distinguish between able-bodied children and children with cerebral palsy. Additionally, two of the measurements, first swing excursion and relaxation index, could be used to differentiate the degree of knee extensor spasticity in the children with cerebral palsy. Only a few moderate correlations were found between the Gillette Gait Index and the pendulum test data.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the pendulum test can be used to discriminate between typically developing children and children with CP, as well as between various degrees of spasticity, such as spastic hemiplegia and spastic diplegia, in the knee extensor muscle of children with CP. Deviations from normal gait in children with CP were not correlated with the results of the pendulum test.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1743-0003-11-166) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Development of a reliable and objective test of spasticity is important for assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy
In our previous study [24], we found that deviations from normal gait in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) generally do not depend on the static and/or dynamic contractures of the hip and knee flexors, as assessed using the Dynamic Evaluation of Range of Motion (DAROM)
The first swing excursion (Ex) and relaxation index (RI) variables calculated for the unaffected lower limbs of the subjects with spastic hemiplegia (SH) were significantly lower than those calculated for the affected hemiplegic and diplegic limbs but much higher than those for the normal lower limbs of the controls
Summary
Development of a reliable and objective test of spasticity is important for assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an accelerometer-based pendulum test as a measurement of spasticity in CP, and to explore the correlation between the measurements of this test and the global index of deviation from normal gait in in children with cerebral palsy. Neither test provides measurable range of motion (ROM) or catch angle values or information on the corresponding velocities of these movements. Goniometry provides measurement values of the ROM or catch angle, it does not permit simultaneous measurement of the corresponding passive movement angular velocity. Using an accelerometer attached to the DAROM enables the assessment of static contractures and dynamic spastic components with the following parameters: ROM deficit, catch angle, and corresponding angular velocities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
