Assessment of spasticity using isokinetic dynamometry in patients with spinal cord injury

Objectives: To determine the value of isokinetic dynamometric measurement of passive resistance in quantifying spasticity. Setting: Turkey. Methods: Thirty-three spastic spinal cord-injured patients and 14 age-matched normal individuals were studied. Five consecutive flexion-extensions of the knee. abduction-adductions of the hip, and dorsal-plantar flexions of the ankle were performed at specific velocities (15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 degrees/s) using a computerized isokinetic dynamometer set at the continuous passive motion mode. We recorded maximum torque and the sum of torque amplitudes for five repetitions of each type of joint motion at all velocities. Results: Maximum torque values and the sum of torque amplitudes were both significantly higher in spastic patients than in controls, and there was a positive correlation between torque values and Ashworth scores. There was no significant linear increase in torque values associated with increasing velocity for any of the motions in either controls or patients. Conclusion: Isokinetic dynamometric measurement of passive resistance appeared to be a valuable tool for assessing and quantifying spasticity, as well as other types of hypertonus.