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Wartenberg pendulum test: objective quantification of muscle tone in children with spastic diplegia undergoing

Eva Nordmark1, Gert Anderson

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Institute of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Lund University, Sweden. eva.nordmark@sjukgym.lu.se

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|January 29, 2002
PubMed

Insights

The Wartenberg pendulum test reliably quantifies muscle tone in children with spastic diplegia. This objective method is sensitive to changes after selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), particularly swing time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Spastic diplegia is a common form of cerebral palsy affecting muscle tone.
  • Accurate quantification of muscle tone is crucial for treatment evaluation in pediatric spasticity.
  • Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical intervention for spasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the reliability and sensitivity of the Wartenberg pendulum test for quantifying muscle tone in young children with spastic diplegia.
  • To evaluate the test's responsiveness to changes following SDR.
  • To correlate pendulum test parameters with clinical spasticity and motor function measures.

Main Methods:

  • The Wartenberg pendulum test was administered to 14 non-disabled children and 20 children with spastic diplegia before and 6 months after SDR.
  • Pendulum test parameters (R2, R1, maximal velocity, swing time) were recorded.
  • Data were correlated with the modified Ashworth scale, quadriceps reflex, Gross Motor Function Classification System, and Gross Motor Function Measure.

Main Results:

  • The Wartenberg pendulum test demonstrated objectivity and sensitivity in quantifying spasticity in knee extensor muscles, even in children as young as 2.5 years.
  • The test was responsive to changes in muscle tone after SDR.
  • Swing time emerged as the most reliable and sensitive parameter, showing a weak correlation with gross motor function measures.

Conclusions:

  • The Wartenberg pendulum test is a reliable and sensitive tool for quantifying spasticity in young children with spastic diplegia.
  • The test is responsive to therapeutic interventions like SDR.
  • Swing time is a key indicator for monitoring muscle tone changes and functional outcomes in this population.

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