Open AccessComparison of Spasticity in Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke Patients using Reflex Period in Pendulum Test
Author(s) -
Kristjana Kristinsdottir,
Gígja Magnúsdóttir,
Belinda Chenery,
Vilborg Guðmundsdóttir,
Halla Kristín Guðfinnsdóttir,
Halldór Kárason,
Guðbjörg K. Ludvigsdóttir,
Þórður Helgason
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of translational myology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.271
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2037-7460
pISSN - 2037-7452
DOI - 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8907
Subject(s) - spasticity , spinal cord injury , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , spinal cord , stroke (engine) , reflex , silent period , stretch reflex , anesthesia , stimulation , transcranial magnetic stimulation , physics , psychiatry , thermodynamics
Spasticity is a motor impairment present in patients with both stroke and spinal cord injury. In this research, the results from the Wartenberg pendulum test, performed on stroke and spinal cord injury patients using goniometers and electromyogram recordings of the quadriceps, were reviewed and a new parameter to quantify spasticity was extracted. The Reflex Period (RP) of the pendulum test was defined as the time span from 50% of the maximum velocity of the leg swing to the activation of muscle contraction in the quadriceps, determined from the EMG. The results suggest that the reflex period in stroke patients is generally shorter than in those suffering from spinal cord injury.