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PubMed2006

Distal hamstring lengthening in cerebral palsy: the influence of the proximal aponeurotic band of the semimembranosus.

We undertook a prospective review of 24 children with spastic diplegia treated by distal hamstring fractional lengthening at the Sheffield Children's Hospital. In 14 children (24 limbs) the correction achieved (popliteal angle) was inadequate and in these patients in the operating room a further correction was attained by dividing a tight band palpated in the substance of the semimembranosus muscle. Under general anaesthetic (preoperatively) the popliteal angle (a degrees ) was measured using a goniometer, then again (b degrees ) following distal hamstring fractional lengthening and finally (c degrees ) after surgically dividing the tight band. The mean preoperative popliteal angle (a degrees ) in all 24 limbs was 65 degrees (52-90). Following the standard hamstring fractional lengthening it (b degrees ) measured 37 degrees (35-50) and after division of the tight band it (c degrees ) measured 15 degrees (10-20). The reduction in popliteal angle following release of the tight band (proximal aponeurosis) was statistically significant (P<0.05). We undertook a cadaveric examination of 22 lower limbs and confirmed in all the cases that this band was the proximal aponeurosis of the semimembranosus muscle. The proximal aponeurosis is a well defined band located at the anterior aspect of the semimembranosus muscle where it arises from the tendon of the proximal attachment. It is separate from the distal aponeurosis. Division of the proximal aponeurosis during fractional lengthening of the distal hamstring in patients with cerebral palsy results in a significant reduction in the flexion deformity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of cervical stimulation for chronic treatment of spasticity.

Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (SCS) to reduce spasticity was evaluated in seven patients who, along with their physicians, perceived significant and prompt benefit from stimulation. In two 24-hour test periods, on or off stimulation, we used two independent methods of evaluation: quantitative measures of joint compliance and stretch reflexes, and a standardized neurologic examination. Neither method did better than chance in determining whether SCS was actually being received. Problems with the experimental protocol are discussed, but the results cannot be interpreted as supporting the efficacy of SCS as a treatment for spasticity.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed2001

Reliability of intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in selective posterior rhizotomy.

OBJECT: Selective posterior rhizotomy is a well-established treatment for spasticity associated with cerebral palsy. At most medical centers, responses of dorsal rootlets to electrical stimulation are used to determine ablation sites; however, there has been some controversy regarding the reliability of intraoperative stimulation. The authors analyzed data obtained from the McGill Rhizotomy Database to determine whether motor responses to dorsal root stimulation were reproducible. METHODS: A series of 77 patients underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy at a single medical center. The dorsal roots from L-2 to S-2 were stimulated to determine the threshold amplitude. The roots were then stimulated at 2 to 4 times the highest threshold with a 1-second 50-Hz train. A second stimulation run of the entire dorsal root was performed before it was divided into rootlets. Rootlets were individually stimulated and sectioned according to the extent of abnormal electrophysiological propagation. Motor responses were recorded by electromyography and were also assessed by a physiotherapist, and grades of 0 to 4+ were assigned. The difference in grades between the first and second stimulation trains was determined for 752 roots. Statistical analysis demonstrated a clear consistency in motor responses between the two stimulation runs, both in the electromyographic readings and the physiotherapist's assessment. More than 93% of dorsal roots had either no change or a difference of only one grade between the two trials. Furthermore, the vast majority of dorsal roots assigned a grade of 4+ at the first trial maintained the same maximally abnormal electrophysiological response during the second stimulation run. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that currently used techniques are reproducible and reliable for selection of abnormal rootlets. Intraoperative electrophysiological stimulation can be valuable in achieving a balance between elimination of spasticity and preservation of underlying strength.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1979

[Electromyography in spastic torticollis].

The EMG characteristics of convulsive activity in the sternocleidomastoid muscle in spastic torticollis vary in different stages of the disease. At the onset of the disease, the bioelectric muscle activity which accomplishes an involuntary turn of the head is registered. Eventually, as the morbid areas of myopathosis are formed in the "active" muscles and muscles preventing an involuntary turn, the electrogenesis of the latter becomes dominating. It is assumed that at the basis of this phenomenon lies a lowering of the excitation threshold in the neuromotor apparatus in the respective group of muscles with an appearance of a peripheral subordinating factor.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of passive cycling movements on spasticity after spinal cord injury: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of rhythmic passive movements of the legs on the reduction of spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil, Switzerland. METHODS: A total of 10 subjects with motor complete SCI were treated with a cycling device for half an hour. Before and after cycling their spasticity was tested with an isokinetic dynamometer. The subjects were tested one week later by exactly the same procedure with a half an hour break instead of the cycling. Subjects were asked about their spasticity before and after the cycling and break. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in elicited peak torque either before and after the cycling, or before and after the break (MANOVA, P<0.05). Six out of 10 subjects estimated their spasticity as less after the cycling. CONCLUSION: With the isokinetic dynamometer, it was not possible to show an effect of passive cycling on spasticity reduction. However, six out of 10 of the subjects estimated their spasticity to be less after cycling. This positive effect might be attributed to a reduced spasticity in the trunk and/or to the attention the subjects perceived during the intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Intensive training in chronic upper limb hemiparesis does not increase spasticity or synergies.

The authors assessed whether intensive training increases spasticity and leads to the development of "pathologic movement patterns," a concern often raised by Bobath-trained therapists. The authors used a baseline-control repeated-measures test to study 29 patients with chronic upper limb hemiparesis who received daily shaping training. Their results suggest that training has no adverse effects on muscle tone and movement quality.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Tizanidine treatment of spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. US Tizanidine Study Group.

This multicenter, stratified, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial evaluated tizanidine for use in the United States for spasticity secondary to MS. The 15-week trial was divided into baseline (weeks 0 and 1), titration (2 mg to a maximum of 36 mg/d; weeks 2 to 4), and plateau (weeks 5 to 13) phases, followed by dose tapering (week 14) and a final visit (week 15). Primary efficacy parameters were scores on muscle tone (Ashworth Scale) and type and frequency of muscle spasms (patient diaries). All efficacy parameters were evaluated by the physician/assessor, and the physician/prescriber was responsible for all dosage adjustments. The patient, physician/assessor, and physician/prescriber made global evaluations of antispastic efficacy. Tizanidine produced a significantly greater reduction than placebo in spasms and clonus (patient diaries) but no significant differences in Ashworth scores. Patients and physician/prescribers, but not physician/assessors, gave significantly better scores in the overall assessment of efficacy and tolerability. No significant differences in other secondary efficacy parameters were noted. Adverse events were reported for 66 (61%) of the 109 placebo-treated patients and 101 (91%) of the 111 tizanidine-treated patients; 6 (6%) and 14 (13%) discontinued treatment, respectively. Patient and physician perception of improvement demonstrated more consistent differences between groups than did the Ashworth Scale, perhaps because of inexperience with this measure or failure to consider time between drug administration and assessment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic electrical stimulation following selective posterior rhizotomy in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial.

A randomized controlled trial was carried out to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) in improving the function of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), who had undergone selective posterior lumbosacral rhizotomy more than a year previously. Children were randomly assigned to groups to receive TES for 1 year, or to have no TES. The primary outcome was the change in the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), a quantitative and validated measure for use in children with spastic CP. There was a statistically significant and clinically important improvement in outcome for the treated children, with the mean change in the GMFM score at one year being 5.5% compared with 1.9% in the untreated group (P = 0.001). TES was simple to use, had no significant complications, and was well accepted by the children and their caregivers, as indicated by an average compliance of 93% for the application of TES on a nightly basis over the course of the study. It was concluded that TES may be beneficial in children with spastic CP who have undergone a selective posterior rhizotomy procedure more than 1 year previously.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Seroprevalence of antibodies to HTLV-I in patients with chronic neurological disorders other than tropical spastic paraparesis.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, also appears to be the cause of tropical spastic paraparesis, a chronic myelopathy reported in several different regions of the world. The prevalence of antibodies to HTLV-I in patients with chronic neurodegenerative disorders other than tropical spastic paraparesis and in patients with some muscle inflammatory disorders has been investigated. IgG antibodies to HTLV-I were measured in the sera and/or cerebrospinal fluid from 82 Guamanian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia, 164 Guamanian normal controls, 10 patients with kuru from the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, 4 patients with Viliuisk encephalomyelitis from the Iakut region of eastern Siberia, 45 Italian patients with multiple sclerosis, and 56 patients with polymyositis (49 from the United States and 7 from Jamaica). As determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western immunoblot, and gelatin particle agglutination techniques, serological evidence of HTLV-I infection was found in 1 patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 1 control subject from Guam, and in 1 patient from the United States and all 7 Jamaican patients with polymyositis. Except for the high seropositivity rate among the group of Jamaican patients with polymyositis, our data indicate that HTLV-I is an unlikely causative agent in the spectrum of the neurological diseases examined. The seropositivity of the 7 Jamaican patients with polymyositis requires further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Percutaneous selective RF neurotomy in spasticity.

Percutaneous selective radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy is described in the treatment of spasticity dominant in femoral adductor and gastrocnemius muscles. The effectiveness of neurotomy has been tested by means of infiltration of nerves with local anesthetic agents before neurotomy in one case. A temperature monitoring needle electrode system with 5 mm noninsulated tip has been used for localization of the nerves by stimulation. Percutaneous obturator neurotomy was performed in the most proximal portion accessible. Posterior tibial neurotomy was performed in two branches of the nerve which innervates the medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius. Four lesions lasting 60 seconds were made in four different directions between 65 degrees and 70 degrees.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[EMG support in botulinum toxin treatment].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work is to sum up how the use of EMG improves BT therapy. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature in the Pub Med computer database, along with a manual biography, allowed us to choose the most synthetic and the most pertinent publications according to our own practical experience. RESULTS: There is no consensus of opinion, but the great majority of authors emphasize the importance of EMG in the different stages of botulinum toxin treatment: before injections, at the time of the injection, and finally during the follow-up after the first injection or after the repeated injections that transient efficiency make necessary. DISCUSSION: A symptomatic therapeutic means recently recognized in focal dystonias and spasticity, BT is injected locally into the muscles to be treated. EMG can be used: at pre-injection for physiopathological evaluation but above all to establish a diagnosis and precise pre-intervention evaluation; at the moment of injection to provide guidance in precise muscle selection and for maximum efficiency with reduced, therefore less costly, doses. It also limits the risk of product diffusion susceptible of causing iatrogenic side effects and/or auto-immunisation resulting in resistance to the toxin; during follow-up, to understand why treatment failed and to look for changes in the dystonia pattern leading to objective re-evaluations and adapted reinjections. Although neglected by some, electrological logistics seem to us, as to many other practitioners who inject, to be a considerably helpful aid, particularly at the moment of injection when targeting the muscle to be treated.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of the clinical factors determining natural and maximal gait speeds in adults with a stroke.

The objective of this study was to identify the most important clinical variables determining gait speed in persons with stroke. Sixteen chronic stroke subjects (mean age, 47.9 (+/-15.6) yr; mean time post-stroke, 43.9 (+/-36.5) mo) able to walk independently without a brace participated in the study. The impairments in motor function, sensation of the paretic lower limb, and balance were evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment. A spasticity index was used to assess the muscle tone of the plantarflexors. The maximal strengths in plantarflexion and hip flexion were measured with a Biodex dynamometric system. Cinematography and foot-contact data collected on the paretic side were used to determine the comfortable and maximal gait speeds. The level of association between gait speeds and the clinical variables were first examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and, then, with multiple linear regression analyses using the stepwise method. Results revealed that the motor function of the lower limb, balance, and hip flexion strength were significantly related to comfortable and maximal gait speeds (0.5 < r < 0.88; P < 0.05). For the comfortable gait speed, the regression analysis selected only the hip flexor strength as a significant variable (R2 = 0.69). For maximal gait speed, the variables retained were hip flexor strength, sensation at the lower limb, and plantarflexor strength (R2 = 0.85). The present results suggest that strength and sensation at the lower limb are important factors to consider in determining the gait capacity of chronic stroke subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Model-based development of neuroprosthesis for paraplegic patients.

In paraplegic patients with upper motor neuron lesions the signal path from the central nervous system to the muscles is interrupted. Functional electrical stimulation applied to the lower motor neurons can replace the lacking signals. A so-called neuroprosthesis may be used to restore motor function in paraplegic patients on the basis of functional electrical stimulation. However, the control of multiple joints is difficult due to the complexity, nonlinearity, and time-variance of the system involved. Furthermore, effects such as muscle fatigue, spasticity, and limited force in the stimulated muscle further complicate the control task. Mathematical models of the human musculoskeletal system can support the development of neuroprosthesis. In this article a detailed overview of the existing work in the literature is given and two examples developed by the author are presented that give an insight into model-based development of neuroprosthesis for paraplegic patients. It is shown that modelling the musculoskeletal system can provide better understanding of muscular force production and movement coordination principles. Models can also be used to design and test stimulation patterns and feedback control strategies. Additionally, model components can be implemented in a controller to improve control performance. Eventually, the use of musculoskeletal models for neuroprosthesis design may help to avoid internal disturbances such as fatigue and optimize muscular force output. Furthermore, better controller quality can be obtained than in previous empirical approaches. In addition, the number of experimental tests to be performed with human subjects can be reduced. It is concluded that mathematical models play an increasing role in the development of reliable closed-loop controlled, lower extremity neuroprostheses.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗
PubMed2000

Treatment of paediatric cerebral palsy with Dysport.

Dysport (Clostridium botulinum type A toxin-haemagglutin complex) has had its licence extended to include treatment of children aged 2 years and over with dynamic equinus foot deformity, caused by spasticity associated with cerebral palsy. Dysport reduces muscle tone, thus improving function, relieving pain, and facilitating physiotherapy, application and tolerability of splints.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[A case of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome with peripheral nerve involvement].

A case of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) with peripheral nerve involvement was described. A patient was a 37-year-old man with marked mental retardation who had ichthyosis since several months of age. He developed spastic gait at age 20 and noticed muscle weakness and atrophy in lower extremities at age 30. On examination, electromyogram showed neurogenic changes with polyphasic motor unit potentials of high amplitude and long duration, and motor and sensory conduction velocities were slightly decreased in lower extremities. Muscle biopsy specimens of the left quadriceps showed grouped atrophy and pyknotic nuclear clumps, suggestive of neurogenic changes. Left sural nerve biopsy showed decreased number of myelinated fibers. On electron microscopy, some myelinated fibers revealed proliferation of the organelles in axons with disruption of the myelin sheath, and glycogen granules in Schwann cell cytoplasm. Unmyelinated fibers showed no reduction in the density, but accompanied numerous collagen pockets and Schwann cell cytoplasmic processes arranged in many stacks, suggesting the presence of some degenerative changes. With the present findings at peripheral level and a review of the literature, we may assume that SLS has extensive disorders of the ectodermal tissues including the peripheral nerve as well as the skin and the central nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Physiopathology and clinical evaluation of spasticity].

The spasticity is a motor alteration of the muscle tonus caused by the spinal reflex hyperactivity, related to the increasing of the muscle reaction to the stretching. It is very frequent in the upper motor neuron lesional.

Humans↗