Spasticity. Mechanisms and nursing care.

Abstract

Spasticity is a motor dysfunction affecting persons with an UMN injury in varying ways. Nurses can identify spasticity in their patients by the presence of hyperactive DTRs and hypertonicity (increased muscle tone). Other characteristics often present with spasticity are clonus and spasms. Spasticity interfering with recreation, work, or basic activities of daily living may be decreased through the use of a variety of nursing interventions. Some of these interventions are more advantageous for spasticity caused by brain injury, whereas others are more helpful for spasticity caused by the spinal cord injury. Interventions research has begun; however, more research needs to be done to identify the most effective nursing measures to decrease spasticity.