Spasticity measurements using pendulum test for predicting gait performance in patients with hemiplegic stroke

Abstract

The association between spasticity and gait performance in patients with stroke is yet to be sufficiently explored. The present study assessed whether spasticity measurement using the pendulum test can predict gait performance in patients with hemiplegic stroke. This study included 40 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia who could walk independently. Spasticity measurements were obtained using the pendulum test and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for knee and ankle. The timed up and go test, Brunnstrom stage assessment, Tinetti balance assessment, and 10-meter walking test (10 MWT) were conducted. The correlations among the aforementioned clinical variables were evaluated through multiple stepwise regression analyses. The relaxation index (RI) calculated using the pendulum test had a significant positive correlation with 10 MWT performance (c = 0.274, P = 0.021). However, the MAS scores for knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, Brunnstrom stage, and Tinetti balance assessment were not significantly correlated with gait speed performance. The pendulum test is a simple and objective method for evaluating spasticity. We suggest that the RI obtained from the pendulum test can be used as a predictive parameter of gait performance in patients with stroke. However, the MAS may not be a favorable predictor of gait outcomes.