Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

M P Barnes1, R M Kent, J K Semlyen

  • 1Academic Unit of Neurological Rehabilitation, Hunters Moor Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NR, UK. m.p.barnes@btinternet.com

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
|March 21, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Within-person changes in emotional complexity are associated with concurrent changes in mental health symptoms.

International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP·2026
Same author

Carry-over fluency induced by extreme prolongations: A new behavioral paradigm.

Medical hypotheses·2016
Same author

Production of the antimicrobial peptides Caseicin A and B by Bacillus isolates growing on sodium caseinate.

Letters in applied microbiology·2012
Same author

Polarization-encoded optical shadow casting: design of trinary multipliers.

Applied optics·2010
Same author

Personal experiences of returning to work following stroke: An exploratory study.

Work (Reading, Mass.)·2009
Same author

A pilot study of a comparison between a patient scored numeric rating scale and clinician scored measures of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

NeuroRehabilitation·2009
Same journal

Unsupervised Data Driven Clustering of the Neurological Assessments of People With Traumatic SCI Focusing on Sensorimotor Complete Injuries.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
Same journal

Walking Environment and Speed Differentially Change More Affected Limb Dynamic Motor Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
Same journal

Changes in Unimanual and Bimanual Upper Extremity Use During the Subacute Phase Post-Stroke Assessed in Supervised and Unsupervised Contexts.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
Same journal

Functional Electrical Stimulation Combined With Reactive Balance Training for Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomised Clinical Trial.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
Same journal

The Concept of Shaping Applied to Locomotor Interventions: Clinical and Robotic Strategies to Facilitate and Progress Variable Stepping Training at Higher Intensities.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
Same journal

"Where Would You Stimulate?" Beliefs About Anatomical Relevance for Enhancing Motor Performance With Non-Invasive Electrical Stimulation.

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair·2026
See all related articles

Spasticity affects nearly half of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly increasing disability. Current treatments are often inadequate, highlighting a need for better management strategies for MS spasticity.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Research
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Spasticity is a common and often debilitating symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Understanding its prevalence and impact on functional independence is crucial for effective patient care.
  • Current pharmacological interventions for MS spasticity may not be optimal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of clinically significant spasticity in a random sample of individuals with MS in Newcastle upon Tyne.
  • To evaluate the adequacy of current pharmacological treatments for spasticity in this population.
  • To assess the relationship between spasticity and overall disability levels in people with MS.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study design involving 68 adults with clinically definite MS.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of functional independence using the Newcastle Independence Assessment Form (NIAF), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Kurtzke Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
  • Spasticity was quantified using the Modified Ashworth Scale, and medication appropriateness was reviewed by a rehabilitation physician.
  • Main Results:

    • 47% of participants exhibited clinically significant spasticity (Modified Ashworth Score ≥ 2).
    • 78% were on oral antispastic medication, yet 50% required treatment adjustments.
    • Individuals with spasticity demonstrated significantly higher disability levels compared to those without.

    Conclusions:

    • Spasticity is highly prevalent in the MS population and strongly associated with reduced functional independence.
    • Pharmacological treatment for spasticity in MS patients is frequently suboptimal.
    • There is a clear need for enhanced education and information for both healthcare professionals and individuals with MS regarding spasticity management.