Impact Of Spasticity Research Articles

Pain, disability, and quality of life in participants after concurrent onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of upper and lower limb spasticity: Observational results from the ASPIRE study.

Upper and lower limb spasticity is commonly associated with central nervous system disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury, but little is known about the concurrent treatment of upper and lower limb spasticity with botulinum toxins. To evaluate onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) utilization and to determine if concurrent onabotA treatment of the upper and lower limbs has supported improvements in participants with spasticity. Sub-analysis of a 2-year, international, prospective, observational registry (ASPIRE, NCT01930786). International clinic sites (54). Adult spasticity participants across etiologies, who received ≥1 concurrent onabotA treatment of the upper and lower limbs during the study. Participants were treated with onabotA at the clinician's discretion. Baseline characteristics and outcomes of disability (Disability Assessment Scale [DAS]), pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]), participant satisfaction, physician satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL; Spasticity Impact Assessment [SIA]) were evaluated. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Of 744 participants enrolled, 730 received ≥1 dose of onabotA; 275 participants received treatment with onabotA in both upper and lower limbs during ≥1 session; 39.3% of participants were naïve to onabotA for spasticity. The mean (SD) total dose per treatment session ranged from 421.2 (195.3) to 499.6 (188.6) U. The most common baseline upper limb presentation was clenched fist (n = 194, 70.5%); lower limb was equinovarus foot (n = 219, 66.9%). High physician and participant satisfaction and improvements in pain, disability and QoL were reported after most treatments. Nine participants (3.3%) reported nine treatment-related adverse events; two participants (0.7%) reported three serious treatment-related severe adverse events. No new safety signals were identified. More than a third of enrolled participants received at least one concurrent onabotA treatment of the upper and lower limbs, with reduced pain, disability, and improved QoL after treatment, consistent with the established safety profile of onabotA for the treatment of spasticity.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation Process and Pilot Testing of the Arabic Version of the Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM-Arabic)

Context: The Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM) is a self-reported questionnaire that is used to assess the impact of spasticity on the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Its inclusion in the assessment process for patients living in a country such as Saudi Arabia, which has one of the highest incidences of SCI around the world, will be an integral addition. Aims: The aims for this study were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PRISM into Arabic and pilot test the Arabic version on Arabic speakers with SCI in Saudi Arabia. Settings and Design: Translation process was administered according to the recommended guidelines used for cross-cultural adaptation of healthcare measures. Methods and Material: Pilot testing of the PRISM-Arabic was administered to 35 individuals with SCI presenting with spasticity. Participants were interviewed to assess the relevance of the questionnaire to the Arabic language and culture. Face and content validity of the PRISM-Arabic as well as its floor and ceiling effects were assessed. Results: During the translation process, the expert committee made changes in 14 occasions due to cultural equivalence differences. Pilot-testing showed eight items that needed further adaptation. After all were made, the cross-culturally adapted PRISM-Arabic showed adequate face and content validity and did not have flooring and ceiling effects. Conclusions: The PRISM has been successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted into Arabic language. Further assessments of its psychometric properties are recommended. Implications for its use in clinical practice and research were presented.
 Key-words: Spinal cord injury, Spasticity, Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure, PRISM
 Key Messages: The PRISM was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted for Arabic speakers with SCI reporting spasticity. The introduction of such spasticity-specific self-reported outcome measure into clinics in Saudi Arabia is the first of its kind. The PRISM will introduce a new area of research and clinical assessment related to patients with SCI.

Stretching is not essential for managing MS spasticity: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Clinical practice, expert opinion, and evidence-based guidelines recommend daily stretching as first-line treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity, but this has not been evaluated by fully powered clinical trials. Objective: To determine whether MS Spasticity: Take Control (STC), a guideline-based program of spasticity education and stretching exercises has different effects on the impact of spasticity than a control program of different spasticity education and range of motion (ROM) exercises. Methods: Ambulatory people with self-reported MS spasticity were randomly assigned to STC or ROM, delivered in same duration, facilitator-led, group classes, face-to-face (F2F) initially and later virtually, due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS) scores were compared between groups at 1 (primary outcome) and 6 months after interventions. Results: A total of 231 people enrolled. There was no significant difference in MSSS scores between STC and ROM at 1 month (mean difference = 0.28, 95% (confidence interval (CI)) = [−9.45 to 10.01], p = 0.955). There were significant group mean improvements in MSSS scores and most other outcomes at 1 and 6 months. Conclusion: Education with stretching exercises, the first-line recommended treatment for MS spasticity, and education with ROM exercises may both improve MS spasticity to a similar degree. This study debunks the belief that stretching is essential to managing MS spasticity.

Impact of spasticity on quality of life of Lebanese individuals with spinal cord injury: Validity and reliability of the Arabic modified patient-reported impact of spasticity measure

Context Spasticity is one of the most complicated problems after spinal cord injury (SCI). Different assessment tools are used to assess spasticity and its impact on individuals with SCI. The modified Patient-Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (mPRISM) is a recommended tool to measure spasticity in spinal cord damage. Objective To translate and cross-culturally adapt mPRISM to Arabic and examine its validity and reliability in a sample of Lebanese adults with SCI. Design A cross-sectional study. Participants 107 individuals with SCI. Outcome measures mPRISM. Intervention mPRISM was translated into Arabic, and pilot testing of the pre-final version was conducted. Exploratory factor analysis, Poisson regression, and Cronbach’s alpha were performed to evaluate the construct and convergent validity and reliability of the Arabic version of mPRISM (AR-mPRISM). Results mPRISM was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to Arabic. Results of an exploratory factor analysis conducted on the scale showed a coherent 5-domain structure that explained 69.631% of the total variance. Convergent validity was demonstrated by a significant association with sociodemographic and injury correlates. The five extracted subscales demonstrated high internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha > 0.8. Conclusion Results support the construct and convergent validity and reliability of AR-mPRISM for assessing spasticity impact on the quality of life of Arabic Speaking SCI population.

Spasticity evaluation and management tools.

Spasticity is a complex and often disabling symptom for patients with upper motor neuron syndromes. Although spasticity arises from neurological disease, it often cascades into muscle and soft tissue changes, which may exacerbate symptoms and further hamper function. Effective management therefore hinges on early recognition and treatment. To this end, the definition of spasticity has expanded over time to more accurately reflect the spectrum of symptoms experienced by persons with this disorder. Once identified, clinical and research quantitative assessments of spasticity are hindered by the uniqueness of presentations both for individuals and for specific neurological diagnoses. Objective measures in isolation often fail to reflect the complex functional impact of spasticity. Multiple tools exist to quantitatively or qualitatively assess the severity of spasticity, including clinician and patient-reported measures as well as electrodiagnostic, mechanical, and ultrasound measures. A combination of objective and patient-reported outcomes is likely required to better reflect the burden of spasticity symptoms in an individual. Therapeutic options exist for the treatment of spasticity along a broad spectrum from nonpharmacologic to interventional procedures. Treatment strategies may include exercise, physical agent modalities, oral medications, injections, pumps, and surgery. Optimal spasticity management most often requires a multimodal approach, combining pharmacological management with interventions that match the functional needs, goals, and preferences of the patient. Physicians and other healthcare providers who manage spasticity must be familiarized with the full array of spasticity interventions and must frequently reassess results of treatment to ensure the patient's goals of treatment are met.

Assessment of Impact of Spasticity on Activities of Daily Living in Multiple Sclerosis Patients from Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease with several symptoms, including spasticity. This study aimed to illustrate the impact of spasticity on the daily activities of MS patients. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic, clinical characteristics, and MS spasticity scale. A total of 286 patients from Saudi Arabia participated in this study. Results: Muscle stiffness occurring due to spasticity in most cases does not bother the patient, except for muscle tightness (32.9%) and stiffness when staying in the same position for a long time (36.7%), which cause extreme discomfort to the patients. Five items of pain and discomfort have been reported to extremely bother the patients (28.0-33.6%). The highest percentage of patients claimed not to be affected by muscle spasm items (29.4%-66.1%), including activities of dressing and sleeping (36.7%-57.7%). More than 30% of the patients found spasticity to affect their walking speed and going up/downstairs. About 36% to 49% did not experience any difficulties with their body movements. The patients also did not exhibit any feelings of discomfort, except for irritation (30.4%) and nervousness (29.4%). Conclusion: MS patients are significantly affected by spasticity, and a considerable percentage of these patients experience problems with their movements and activities.

Assessment of the Impact of Spasticity on Activities of Daily Living in Multiple Sclerosis Patients from Saudi Arabia – A Cross-sectional Study.

Assessment of the Impact of Spasticity on Activities of Daily Living in Multiple Sclerosis Patients from Saudi Arabia – A Cross-sectional Study.

Symptom burden, management and treatment goals of people with MS spasticity: Results from SEEN-MSS, a large-scale, self-reported survey

BackgroundSpasticity occurs frequently in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and may affect non-physical aspects of life. However, there is a paucity of data assessing the full impact of spasticity in PwMS. ObjectiveThis survey of PwMS and spasticity (PwMSS) was undertaken to understand the impact of spasticity in physical, functional, emotional, and social domains. MethodsSEEN-MSS (Symptoms and Emotions Exploration Needed in Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity), an online survey, was developed in collaboration with three US-based MS organizations (conducted February-April 2021). ResultsSurvey was completed by 1,177 PwMSS, 78% female, mean age 56.8yrs, 16.8yrs from MS diagnosis, 11.5yrs with spasticity. Considering day-to-day goals of treatment, respondents reported that managing symptoms(46%) was nearly as important as slowing disease progression(54%). Most reported spasticity was a constant reminder of their MS. Participants reported that spasticity limited daily activities (92%), caused pain (92%), impaired sleep (89%) and negatively impacted emotional well-being (87%). Spasticity fostered a sense of dependence (61%), isolation (40%), decline in self-confidence (75%), self-image (70%), and social connection (62%). ConclusionsSpasticity has wide-reaching negative impacts on multiple aspects of life, causing substantial burden for PwMSS. Results emphasize the need to fully understand the burden of spasticity and addressing individual needs of PwMSS.

The Impact of Spasticity and Contractures on Dependency and Outcomes from Rehabilitation

Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI) can result in severe physical impairment causing difficulty with moving which, if not actively managed, can lead to contracture and deformity. Delayed access to rehabilitation may result in more contracture, with potential to increase duration of rehabilitation, cost and therapy time required. Objective: Describe the amount of therapy input for patients undergoing specialist in-patient rehabilitation following ABI, the differences in the type of therapy received by people with and without contracture and/or spasticity, and the impacts on functional outcomes including care needs and cost of care. Materials and Methods: A cohort analysis of prospectively collected data from 426 patients with ABI in a UK tertiary inpatient rehabilitation program. The Neurological impairment Scale (NIS) was used to identify the presence of spasticity or contracture. The Northwick Park Therapy Dependency Assessment (NPTDA) was used to calculate the therapy hours and type of treatment provided to people with and without spasticity and/or contracture. Outcomes (change in function and independence) were compared including the UK Functional Assessment Measure (UK FIM+FAM). Results: The Male/Female ratio was 63:37% with a mean age: 44.0(SD 13) years and a mean length of stay in specialist inpatient rehabilitation: 103 (SD 49) days. Aetiology: Stroke (63%), Trauma (20%); Hypoxia (7%): Other (10%). Patients with contractures were significantly more dependent than those without, both on admission and discharge. They stayed on average 31 days longer (95%CI 21.1, 40.5) (P=0.001) with an additional mean episode cost of £25,588 (95%CI £18.085, 34,043) (P<0.001). Despite this, they made similar overall functional gains resulting in similar long-term savings in the cost of ongoing care. Conclusion: Routine collection of the NPTDA supported quantification of the impact of spasticity and contracture on therapy inputs, length of stay, functional gains, and costs. People with contractures following ABI require more therapy time in rehabilitation to achieve similar functional gains, but nevertheless were cost-efficient to treat.

Does spasticity affect the postural stability and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy?

ObjectivesCerebral palsy is a unique physical disability that primarily affects children's gross motor functions and postural control. Cerebral palsy has a direct impact on children's daily activities and quality of life. This study aims to determine the relationship between spasticity, motor function, postural stability, and the quality life of children with cerebral palsy. MethodsForty-five children (age range 4–6 years) diagnosed with spasticity from cerebral palsy participated in this study. Spasticity was evaluated by the modified Ashwarth scale; the children's functions were evaluated by gross motor functional measures, postural stability was evaluated by biodex balance system, and quality of life was measured with the pediatric quality of life inventory. ResultsThere was a strong positive correlation between the degree of spasticity and quality of life. Additionally, there was a significantly strong association between spasticity and gross motor function. In contrast, there was no correlation between spasticity and postural stability indices. Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between quality of life and gross motor function. Lastly, there was no association between quality of life and the postural stability index. ConclusionThe findings highlight the impact of spasticity on motor function and the quality of life of a cohort of children with cerebral palsy. These findings may determine therapeutic interventions and priorities to plan physical therapy programs. Such measures may overcome the main cause of disorders that delay and undermine the daily routines of the affected children.

Dynamics of clinical-neurological indicators of patients with hemorrhagic hemispheric stroke in the recovering period of the disease

The aim of our study was the investigation of the dynamics of clinical-neurological indicators of patients with hemorrhagic hemispheric stroke (HHS) in the recovering period of the disease by comprehensive neurological, medical and social research. Materials and methods. 90 patients in the age from 38 to 70 years were studied, 58 men – 64.4 % and 32 women – 35.6 %. The condition of the patients was evaluated by NIHSS, mRS, BI and MSA on the 30th, 180th, 360th day of HHS. Depending on their self-care recovering level the patients were divided in two groups for analysis: the first one was formed with the patients whose self-care level completely was restored on the 360th day (ВІ = 100), and the second one was formed with the patients with BI 95 and less on the 360th day. Results. Structure of indicators according to NIHSS, mRS, ВІ and MSA on the 30th day of disease in these groups was analyzed during rehabilitation, as well as distribution of the patients based on their gender and process lateralization. Analyzing the data of the dynamics of the recovery period of HHS depending on the lateralization of the process and the sex of patients, we can notice that there was no significant difference during the recovery period of HHS depending of the lateralization of the process, for example, in patients with the damaged dominant hemisphere median score of BI was 70 points on the 30th day, patients with the lesion of subdominant hemisphere – 65, and on the 360th days in both groups it was 95 points. There was also no significant difference in the dynamics of neurological deficit and recovery of functional activity depending on the gender of patients. On the 30th day of the disease in the group of patients who fully restored their daily activity on the 360th day of HHS a significantly higher score for BI was determined than in the group with incomplete recovery (80 (70; 85) points against 55 (45; 65) points (P ˂ 0.05)). Although a significantly greater regression of functional disorders was found in the second group of patients (P ˂ 0.05). An analysis of the impact of spasticity on the recovery of self-care level showed a significant negative impact of increased muscle tone on the recovery of self-care (P ˂ 0.05) and reduction of the probability of complete recovery of independence in everyday life with increasing degree of spasticity (P ˂ 0.05). At the same time, no significant factors (sex, age, side of the lesion, etc.) were identified that would affect the development of spasticity in patients with HHS, except for the level of neurological deficit according to NIHSS. When we analyzed the distribution of patients in these two groups by sex, it was revealed that the groups didn't have any significant difference. There was also no significant difference in the study's groups depending of the lateralization of the stroke. Conclusions. It was found that on the 30th day of the disease in 35.6 % of patients the total score on NIHSS ranged from 2 to 6 points, 55.6 % of patients had mRS of 3 points and 48.9 % of patients had severe dependent of outside help in daily life by BI. Significant positive dynamics of recovery on NIHSS, mRS, BI scales on the 180th and 360th day of the disease (P ˂ 0.05) was revealed. The dependence of the indicators of the level of self-care on the 360th day of HHS, on the severity of stroke on the 30th day of the disease (P ˂ 0.01) and on the presence of manifestations of increased muscle tone was established. It was found that patients who had manifestations of spasticity on the 360th day of the disease had a significantly higher score for NIHSS at the onset of the disease, on the 30th day of the disease and on the 360th day of the disease than patients without manifestations of increased muscle tone (P ˂ 0.05). However, no interconnection was found between the indicators of the level of self-care on the 360th day of HHS and the lateralization of the process as well as the sex of patients.

Effect of post-stroke spasticity on voluntary movement of the upper limb

BackgroundHemiparesis following stroke is often accompanied by spasticity. Spasticity is one factor among the multiple components of the upper motor neuron syndrome that contributes to movement impairment. However, the specific contribution of spasticity is difficult to isolate and quantify. We propose a new method of quantification and evaluation of the impact of spasticity on the quality of movement following stroke.MethodsSpasticity was assessed using the Tonic Stretch Reflex Threshold (TSRT). TSRT was analyzed in relation to stochastic models of motion to quantify the deviation of the hemiparetic upper limb motion from the normal motion patterns during a reaching task. Specifically, we assessed the impact of spasticity in the elbow flexors on reaching motion patterns using two distinct measures of the ‘distance’ between pathological and normal movement, (a) the bidirectional Kullback–Liebler divergence (BKLD) and (b) Hellinger’s distance (HD). These measures differ in their sensitivity to different confounding variables. Motor impairment was assessed clinically by the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for the upper extremity (FMA-UE). Forty-two first-event stroke patients in the subacute phase and 13 healthy controls of similar age participated in the study. Elbow motion was analyzed in the context of repeated reach-to-grasp movements towards four differently located targets. Log-BKLD and HD along with movement time, final elbow extension angle, mean elbow velocity, peak elbow velocity, and the number of velocity peaks of the elbow motion were computed.ResultsUpper limb kinematics in patients with lower FMA-UE scores (greater impairment) showed greater deviation from normality when the distance between impaired and normal elbow motion was analyzed either with the BKLD or HD measures. The severity of spasticity, reflected by the TSRT, was related to the distance between impaired and normal elbow motion analyzed with either distance measure. Mean elbow velocity differed between targets, however HD was not sensitive to target location. This may point at effects of spasticity on motion quality that go beyond effects on velocity.ConclusionsThe two methods for analyzing pathological movement post-stroke provide new options for studying the relationship between spasticity and movement quality under different spatiotemporal constraints.

Spasticity Effect in relation to body mass index on dynamic postural stability in patients with stroke

In the general population, obesity is significantly linked to an increased risk of stroke. Lower extremity impairments are common in stroke patients. As a result, motor control is impaired, balance is compromised due to asymmetric weight support, and walking ability is limited. The purpose of this investigation was to study the internship impact of spasticity and BMI on dynamic postural stability in patients with stroke. Forty-eight patients with hemiplegia/paresis after stroke, from both gender

MS Spasticity: Take Control (STC) for ambulatory adults: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSpasticity affects 60–80% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), impacting activity, participation and quality of life. We developed the group delivered spasticity self-management program, “MS Spasticity: Take Control” (STC), with DVDs for education and lower extremity stretching. STC is based on an international guideline and recommendations from systematic reviews and emphasizes the importance of stretching with specific stretching exercises. Our pilot trial (n = 38) compared STC followed by one month of home stretching practice to unguided use of the National MS Society (NMSS) brochure titled “Stretching for People with MS: An Illustrated Manual,” also followed by one month of home stretching practice. In this pilot trial, STC showed promising effects on the impact of spasticity (MS Spasticity Scale-88) and other self-report and physical performance measures. We will now carry out a fully-powered trial to evaluate the effect of STC compared to a comparably delivered control program on the impact and severity of spasticity in people with MS and self-reported lower extremity spasticity.MethodsTwo hundred-twenty ambulatory adults with MS self-reported spasticity interfering with daily activities will be randomized 1:1 to STC or control, using the same NMSS brochure used in the pilot study, with both programs delivered in groups with trained facilitators. Outcomes are the impact of spasticity with the MS Spasticity Scale-88, the severity of spasticity with the Numeric Rating Scale for Spasticity, other self-report questionnaires, and physical performance walking measures at baseline and one and 6 months after the interventions.DiscussionStretching is the cornerstone of spasticity management. Stretching takes time and energy every day. Unfortunately, beyond the logical expectation that regular stretching should help prevent muscle shortening and contractures in the presence of spasticity, there is very little data on the effects of stretching on spasticity in people with MS or any other condition. Our pilot trial of STC suggested that education and stretching help reduce the impact of spasticity. To definitively determine if this education and instructional program with daily stretching practice is effective, a fully powered trial with a comparable control intervention and facilitators who did not create STC is needed. Here we report the protocol for this trial.Trial registrationNCT03166930 May 25, 2017.

Caregiver Delivered Sensory Electrical Stimulation for Post Stroke Upper Limb Spasticity: A Single Blind Crossover Randomized Feasibility Study

We developed a 64 channel sensory electrical stimulator which delivers a dynamic and variable ‘Sensory Barrage’ Stimulation (SBS). Our aim was to assess the feasibility of caregivers delivering the stimulation in the community for a clinical trial comparing single channel Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with SBS for post stroke upper limb spasticity. We trained caregivers of 16 participants with post stroke upper limb spasticity to sequentially administer SBS and TENS for 60 min daily for four weeks each, with a washout period of two weeks in between. Outcome measures tested were recruitment and retention rates, compliance with interventions and daily recording of Participant -reported Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). We also collected results of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Leeds Arm Spasticity Impact Scale (LASIS) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spasticity. Out of 21 potential participants, 16 consented and 15 completed the protocol. Ten participants received TENS for 80% (23/28) of the intended hours. Eleven participants completed NRS for at 80% (45/56) of the study days. All participants attended all visits. The MAS reduced by at least one in five participants after SBS and in three after TENS. Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of four points increase in ARAT was seen in five participants following TENS, and in four following SBS. A MCID of 18% decrease in NRS was reported by eight participants after TENS and three after SBS. This study demonstrated the feasibility of undertaking a trial of sensory electrical stimulation for post-stroke spasticity with caregivers delivering intervention in community. The study was not powered to detect efficacy of the interventions. Trial registration number: NCT02907775.Date 20-9-2016.

Patient Perspectives on the Therapeutic Profile of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in Spasticity.

Background: Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections are first-line treatment for adult spasticity. Prior patient surveys have reported that BoNT-A treatment improves quality of life but that symptoms usually recur before the next injection. We aimed to explore, in-depth, patient perceptions of the impact of spasticity and the waning of BoNT-A therapeutic effects.Methods: An internet-based survey was conducted through Carenity, an online patient community, from May to September 2019 in France, Germany, Italy, UK and USA. Eligible respondents were adult patients with spasticity due to stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) who had ≥2 previous BoNT-A injections.Results: Two hundred and ten respondents (mean 47.2 years) met screening criteria and had their responses analyzed. Overall, 43% of respondents had spasticity due to stroke, 30% due to TBI and 27% due to SCI. The mean [95% CI] injection frequency for spasticity management was 3.6 [3.4–3.7] injections/year. Respondents described the time profile of their response to BoNT-A. The mean reported onset of therapeutic effect was 12.9 [12.1–13.7] days and the mean time to peak effect was 5.0 [4.7–5.4] weeks. Symptom re-emergence between injections was common (83%); the time from injection to symptom re-emergence was 89.4 [86.3–92.4] days. Muscle spasms usually re-emerge first (64%), followed by muscle stiffness or rigidity (40%), and limb pain (20%). Over half (52%) of respondents said they had lost their self-confidence, 46% experienced depression and 41% experienced a lack of sleep due to their spasticity symptoms in the past 12 months. Following a report of symptom re-emergence, the most common management approaches were to add adjunctive treatments (36%), increase the BoNT-A dose (28%), and wait for the next injection (27%). Seventy two percentage of respondents said they would like a longer lasting BoNT-A treatment.Conclusions: Patients with spasticity can expect a characteristic profile of BoNT-A effects, namely time lag to onset and peak effect followed by a gradual decline in the symptomatic benefits. Symptom re-emergence is common and has significant impact on quality of life. Greater patient/clinician awareness of this therapeutic profile should lead to better level of overall satisfaction with treatment, informed therapeutic discussions and treatment schedule planning.

The positive and the negative impacts of spasticity in patients with long-term neurological conditions: an observational study

Purpose To describe the positive and negative impacts of spasticity across different neurological disorders using the Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM), deduce any associations between severity of spasticity and its impact, and assess for differences across diagnostic subgroups. Materials and methods PRISM, a spasticity-specific quality of life questionnaire validated in patients with spinal cord injuries, was given to 97 follow-up patients attending a spasticity clinic prior to symptom assessment using the REsistance to PAssive movement Scale (REPAS). Results Patients described a minor level of positive impact and a marked negative impact in the domains of “Psychological Agitation,” “Daily Activities,” “Need for Assistance/Positioning” and “Social Avoidance/Anxiety.” Spasticity severity was, in general, a poor predictor of perceived impact, although severity and localisation of spasticity was modestly correlated with “Need for Assistance/Positioning” and “Social Embarrassment” levels. Despite comparable levels of spasticity severity, people with MS expressed a more substantial impact across some PRISM domains than did patients in other groups. Conclusion PRISM can be useful to assess the impact of spasticity in various neurological conditions although further validation studies are needed. Implications for Rehabilitation The localisation of spasticity in both legs or the right arm can produce a significant impact on ‘Need for Assistance/Positioning’ and ‘Social Embarrassment’. People with MS may experience a greater impact of spasticity than those with other neurological conditions, particularly in the domains of Social Avoidance/Anxiety and Psychological Agitation. Coexisting factors such as anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain should be investigated together with spasticity. PRISM can assist in goal setting and treatment of people with spasticity secondary to different neurological conditions.

Scales and tests in the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with spasticity of the upper limbs

Treatment and rehabilitation of patients with upper limb spasticity remains a challenging task that still does not have standard, widely accepted methods. The specific instruments used to measure the impact of spasticity on everyday life occupy an important place in the measurement of treatment effectiveness. The article presents scales and tests used to access the impact of spasticity and paresis on the arm activity. LASIS has been translated into Russian by the authors. The clinical case of treatment of arm muscle spasticity with the botulinum neuro toxin and its assessment with MRCS, MAS, Tardie, LASIS, Frenchai, Bartel, Rankin scales are presented. It provides the unique algorithm for measurement of muscle spasticity in forearm and wrist.

Impact of spasticity on functioning in spinal cord injury: an application of graphical modelling.

To identify the impact of moderate-to-severe spasticity on functioning in people living with spinal cord injury. Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data using graphical modelling. Individuals (n = 1,436) with spinal cord injury aged over 16 years with reported spasticity problems. Spasticity and 13 other impairments in body functions were assessed using the spinal cord injury Secondary Conditions Scale. Impairments in mental functions were assessed using the Mental Health subscale of the 36-item Short Form (SF-36). Independence in activities was measured with the Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure Self-Report. Restrictions in participation were measured with the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation Rehabilitation - Participation. Fifty-one percent of participants reported moderate-to-severe spasticity. Graphical modelling showed that Chronic pain, Contractures, Tiredness, Doing housework, and Respiratory functions were associated with spasticity and were the top 5 potential targets for interventions to improve the experience of spasticity. The associations and intervention targets were dependent on the level and completeness of the lesion. This is the first application of graphical modelling in studying spasticity in people living with spinal cord injury. The results can be used as a basis for studies aiming to optimize rehabilitation interventions in people with moderate-to-severe spasticity.

Spasticity and Pain after Spinal Cord Injury: Impact on Daily Life and the Influence of Psychological Factors.

Spasticity and pain frequently co-occur in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), yet, how these sequelae interact in daily life is unclear. Additionally, little is known about how psychological factors relate to the perception of spasticity and its impacts on daily life. (1) Characterize relationships between spasticity and chronic pain with regard to perceived severity, difficulty dealing, and life interference. (2) Determine the extent to which perceived spasticity severity and physiological, psychological, and pain-related factors contribute to impacts of spasticity on daily life (difficulty in dealing, life interference). (3) Determine the effects of painful spasticity on aspects of chronic pain and spasticity (severity, life interference, interference with sleep, and spasm duration). Observational study. University laboratory. Twenty participants with SCI and lower extremity spasticity. Measures included International SCI Pain Basic Data Set, Pain and Spasticity Inventories, Difficulty Dealing with Pain/Spasticity, SCI-Spasticity Evaluation Tool, Connor-Davidson Resilience and Moorong Self-Efficacy Scales, Spinal Cord Assessment Tool for Spastic Reflexes, spasm duration, and injury-related and demographic factors. Bivariate correlations, multiple regression analyses, and pairwise comparisons were performed. Spasticity and chronic pain were directly related, with respect to perceived severity, difficulty dealing, and life interference (rho = 0.514-0.673, P < .05). Shorter injury duration, greater perceived spasticity severity, and greater difficulty dealing with pain explained 61% of variance in difficulty dealing with spasticity. Greater perceived spasticity severity and lower resilience explained 72% of variance in life interference of spasticity. Spasm duration was not significantly associated with perceived spasticity severity. Participants with painful spasticity had significantly greater chronic pain severity (P = .02) and sleep-related impact of spasticity (P = .03) than participants without painful spasticity. Perceived severity of spasticity, injury duration, ability to deal with chronic pain, resilience, and painful spasms appear to play important roles in the negative impacts of spasticity on life after SCI. III.