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 Concept Videos

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same authorSame journal

Redefining Spasticity: The Spasticity X Working Group Consensus Statement.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Muscle and mind: rewiring cognitive-motor recovery through exercise-responsive neurophysiology in neurological populations.

Frontiers in psychology·2026
Same author

Factors Influencing the Selection of Botulinum Toxin Preparations for the Management of Spasticity.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Driving Change in Rehabilitation Practice: Expert Insights and Strategic Direction for Integrating ISPRM's Clinical Functioning Information Tool (ClinFIT) in Clinical Practice and Research.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Interpretable side-aware kinematic-sEMG gait-state representations relevant to adaptive neurorobotic assistance after stroke: a public-dataset study.

Frontiers in neurorobotics·2026
Same author

SIMFER guidelines on physical modalities for chronic primary pain management.

European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
14:55

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Published on: April 18, 2011

Is Spasticity a Syndrome? A Historical Perspective on Spasticity Definitions and Descriptions.

Gerard E Francisco1,2, Thierry Deltombe3, Stefano Carda4

  • 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|July 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The term "spasticity" is ambiguous and obscures distinct motor impairments after central nervous system injury. Proposing "spasticity syndrome" as an umbrella term will improve clinical assessment and treatment outcomes for patients.

Keywords:
Motor disordersMuscle spasticityNeurorehabilitationSpastic paresisSpasticitySpasticity syndromeUpper motor neuron syndrome

More Related Videos

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
08:40

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity

Published on: June 12, 2019

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
14:55

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Published on: April 18, 2011

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
08:40

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity

Published on: June 12, 2019

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Clinical Assessment

Background:

  • The term "spasticity" is broadly applied to diverse motor impairments following central nervous system lesions, causing diagnostic ambiguity.
  • Existing clinical scales (e.g., Tardieu, Ashworth) have limitations in accurately measuring spasticity's velocity-dependent characteristics and underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the ambiguity and limitations in current spasticity assessment and terminology.
  • To propose a refined classification system for motor disorders associated with upper motor neuron injury.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical experience and existing literature on spasticity and related motor signs.
  • Critical analysis of current assessment tools for validity, reliability, and mechanistic insight.

Main Results:

  • The generalized use of "spasticity" obscures specific impairments like spastic dystonia, co-contraction, and spasms.
  • Current manual scales lack the precision to capture the velocity-dependent nature of muscle tone and torque changes.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed "spasticity syndrome" umbrella term aims to encompass the spectrum of clinical manifestations and pathologies.
  • Adopting "spasticity syndrome" will enhance precision in clinical assessment, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes.