Management of spasticity - A scientific basis for outcome measures

The clinical measurement of spasticity calls for techniques which can be used quickly and easily and are in correspondence with the clinical definition. Biomechanical tests provide the greatest possibility of achieving this. An instrumented approach to the Ashworth test has been shown to produce reliable data and there is still further potential for pendulum type tests in conjunction with appropriate mathematical models. Biomechanical techniques also have the ability to measure reflex excitability. The final challenge is to combine these methods to produce a rapid clinical test.