Clinical and neurophysiological correlations of spasticity

The aim of this investigation was to explore the correlations between some neurophysiological methods and spasticity. An examination of 120 patients with spastic hemiparesis was performed. The muscle tone, force and tendon reflexes were assessed using well-known five-point scales. The F wave, T, H and flexor reflex parameters and the Hvibrated/Hmaximal ratio were obtained. Our results revealed moderate correlations (0.3 < r < 0.5) between the amplitudes of F wave, T and H reflexes and muscle tone. The correlations between the amplitude ratios (Fmaximal/M, Fmean/M, T/M, H/M) and muscle tone were poor, as were the correlations between H reflex thresholds and muscle tone. Moderate correlations existed between Hvibration/Hmaximal ratio and muscle tone. Only the second flexor reflex response showed moderate correlations with muscle tone. In conclusion correlations between the neurophysiological methods employed and muscle tone are moderate. Evaluation of all the F wave, T, H reflex and flexor reflex parameters is not necessary, as only some of these parameters show good correlations with spasticity.